Cholesterol Testing: Beginners Guide to Cholesterol Control

Cholesterol is fat found in numerous food that come from animals such as eggs, beef, milk, and pork. Your liver also creates cholesterol. Your body needs cholesterol to function and stay healthy. But too much of it can block your arteries - the blood vessels that lead to your heart. That's the reason why people with high cholesterol levels have a higher chance of having a heart attack. Cholesterol Testing: The Benefits of Controlling Your Cholesterol Lowering your cholesterol has a significant impact on the process of plaque formation in the arteries of your heart - it lowers your risk of having a heart disease or heart attack. A significant drop in your blood cholesterol level can stop the growth of new coronary "lesion" as these blockages are called, and in some cases can cause some decrease of existing lesions. Reducing cholesterol level in people with heart disease decreases the risks for heart attack, death from heart disease and can actually prolong life. In people with high risk of heart disease, the primary benefit may be to delay the onset of so-called premature heart disease - one that occurs before age 65 - in people at normal or low risk, such measures over a span of many years may help prevent cardiovascular disease in old age. What is Cholesterol Testing? Cholesterol testing is carried out to measure the amount of total cholesterol in your blood. The test compares the total amount of your HDL. This comparison is called a ratio. Your ratio can help you determine your risk of having a heart disease. Cholesterol testing is usually done as part of the routine overall check up of the body.So, don't hesitate to do your cholesterol testing . You can get the test done at the medical centers or you can do your own cholesterol testing using a home test kit. This way you can monitor the cholesterol in your body and keep track of it. One other option is to visit medical spas to take some blood tests. How to Prepare for the Test To begin your cholesterol test, you must fast for 9-12 hours before the test. Avoid soda, tea, coffee and other beverages during the fasting period as this can affect the test result. But you can drink water. You'll find more information about cholesterol testing right here. How to do the Test To begin your cholesterol testing, get a home cholesterol test kit. Prick one of your fingers with a lancet in order to get a little drop of blood. Drop the blood on a piece of test strip or paper that come with the home test kit. Follow the instructions on the test kit you're using to determine your cholesterol level. Some home cholesterol test kits are designed with a digital device that shows the level of your blood cholesterol immediately after the cholesterol testing.