Total Cholesterol Test Guide
What is the Total Cholesterol Test?
The Total Cholesterol test measures the overall amount of cholesterol in your blood, including both “good” (HDL) and “bad” (LDL) cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that your body uses to build cells, but high levels can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
This test gives a combined measurement of three types of lipids in the blood:
- Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: Often referred to as “bad” cholesterol, as high levels can lead to plaque buildup in arteries.
- High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol: Known as “good” cholesterol, as it helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream.
- Very Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) and triglycerides: These lipids are also included indirectly in the total cholesterol count and can contribute to cardiovascular risk.
Why Should You Get a Total Cholesterol Test?
The Total Cholesterol test is an essential component of cardiovascular health screening. Reasons to get tested include:
- Routine health screening: As part of a lipid panel, the total cholesterol test helps monitor your risk for cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes.
- Cardiovascular risk assessment: If you have risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, or a family history of heart disease, your healthcare provider may use this test to determine your overall risk.
- Monitoring cholesterol-lowering treatments: If you are taking medications (like statins) or following lifestyle changes to lower cholesterol, this test helps track your progress.
- Early detection of health issues: High cholesterol levels often have no symptoms. Routine testing can detect elevated cholesterol early, allowing for timely interventions to prevent complications like atherosclerosis.
- Family history of high cholesterol: If you have a family history of familial hypercholesterolemia (genetic high cholesterol), regular cholesterol testing can help detect abnormal levels and initiate early treatment.
Normal Ranges for Total Cholesterol
Total cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). The general guidelines for interpreting total cholesterol levels are:
- Desirable: Less than 200 mg/dL
- Borderline high: 200 to 239 mg/dL
- High: 240 mg/dL and above
It’s important to note that total cholesterol is just one part of a complete lipid profile, which also includes LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. A doctor will assess all components to get a full picture of your cardiovascular health.
Health Symptoms Related to Abnormal Total Cholesterol Levels
Elevated total cholesterol levels typically do not cause noticeable symptoms until significant damage has occurred. Health issues related to high cholesterol include:
- Atherosclerosis: High cholesterol can cause the buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) in arteries, leading to narrowed or blocked blood vessels.
- Heart attack: Plaque buildup in coronary arteries can rupture and form clots, blocking blood flow to the heart.
- Stroke: Similar blockages in arteries leading to the brain can result in a stroke.
- Peripheral artery disease: Blocked blood flow in the limbs, often leading to pain and difficulty walking.
- Xanthomas: In severe cases of high cholesterol, yellowish deposits of cholesterol can form under the skin.
Since high cholesterol usually does not cause symptoms until it has progressed, regular testing is critical for early detection and management.
Health Professionals Who Can Use the Results
- Primary Care Physicians (PCPs): PCPs use total cholesterol tests during routine checkups to assess overall heart health and manage risk factors like high cholesterol.
- Cardiologists: Specialists in heart health use cholesterol tests to diagnose and manage cardiovascular diseases, especially in high-risk patients.
- Endocrinologists: For patients with metabolic disorders or diabetes, endocrinologists use cholesterol testing to monitor cardiovascular risk and manage lipid levels.
- Lipidologists: Specialists in lipid management use total cholesterol results as part of a comprehensive assessment to manage patients with complex cholesterol disorders or genetic conditions like familial hypercholesterolemia.
- Dietitians: Cholesterol levels are a key factor in creating tailored nutritional plans, particularly for patients trying to lower their cholesterol through diet.
How Often Should You Take the Total Cholesterol Test?
The frequency of cholesterol testing depends on individual risk factors and health status:
- Healthy adults: It is recommended that adults get their cholesterol checked at least every 4 to 6 years as part of routine health screenings, starting at age 20.
- People with cardiovascular risk factors: Individuals with risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, or a family history of heart disease should get tested more frequently, at least once per year.
- Patients on cholesterol-lowering medications: Those taking statins or other cholesterol-lowering medications should have their cholesterol checked every 3 to 6 months to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment.
- Older adults: For individuals over 65, cholesterol levels should be monitored annually, as age increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Top 5 Questions Related to Total Cholesterol Tests and Results
- What is a good total cholesterol level? A desirable total cholesterol level is below 200 mg/dL. However, doctors also consider other parts of your lipid profile—such as LDL and HDL levels—before determining if your cholesterol is within a healthy range.
- Can high total cholesterol be inherited? Yes, some people inherit genetic conditions like familial hypercholesterolemia, which can lead to high cholesterol levels, even with a healthy diet and lifestyle. This condition increases the risk of early heart disease and stroke.
- What lifestyle changes can help lower total cholesterol? Eating a heart-healthy diet (low in saturated fats and trans fats), exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight are all effective ways to reduce cholesterol levels. Reducing alcohol intake and managing stress can also play a role.
- What medications are used to lower high cholesterol? The most common medications for lowering cholesterol are statins, which reduce the liver’s production of cholesterol. Other medications include ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, and bile acid sequestrants.
- If my total cholesterol is high, do I need medication? Not always. If your total cholesterol is only mildly elevated and you have no other significant cardiovascular risk factors, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes first. However, if your cholesterol is very high or you have other risk factors (like diabetes or high blood pressure), medication may be necessary.
The Hosst.com Platform uses a Digital Twin to help users manage their health by tracking, organising, and optimising healthcare activities. It provides personalised insights and assists with scheduling checkups, tests, and doctor visits.
Key features include:
- Symptom management: Recommends tests and treatments based on user input.
- Health data tracking: Monitors glucose, blood pressure, and more from health devices or manual inputs. Connects with your favorite apps and health monitors.
- Alerts: Warns of abnormal health signs and suggests corrective actions.
- Lifestyle recommendations: Offers diet, medication, and lifestyle tips based on health trends.
- Test result interpretation: Simplifies complex results and explains what they mean for the user.
- Preventive care: Sends reminders for checkups and suggests actions to prevent illness.
- Health scenario simulations: Predicts potential health outcomes based on current data.
- Product and service finder: Helps users find the right healthcare product or service.
- Doctor visit preparation: Gathers vitals, history, insurance, and questions for productive visits, with easy sharing to doctors.
- User-friendly: Ask in your own words, available on tablets, desktops, and mobile devices.
The platform simplifies health management and improves well-being. Free and easy to use and no installation required, get started today.
Disclaimer: The information provided in these articles is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions about your health or starting any treatments.
Photo credits Freepik.com
