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Because
there is often
a strong correlation
between elevated
levels of blood
cholesterol and
heart disease,
most healthcare
providers consider
cholesterol blood
testing an extremely
valuable diagnostic
tool.
Cholesterol is
associated with
a group of fatty
substances called
lipids that move
through the bloodstream
attached to proteins.
When the lipid
and the protein
join, they become
a molecule called
a lipoprotein.
Cholesterol is
associated with
different lipoproteins,
all of which have
different effects
on cardiovascular
health.
A high level of
bad cholesterol
and other blood
lipids is most
often associated
with arteriosclerosis,
the buildup of
fatty deposits
on arterial walls
that often leads
to heart attacks.
Coronary artery
disease is also
associated with
a high blood cholesterol
reading.
Measuring cholesterol
actually involves
three blood fats:
Low-density
lipoprotein, or
LDL cholesterol
(also called "bad"
cholesterol)
High
density lipoprotein,
or HDL cholesterol
(also called "good"
cholesterol)
Triglycerides.
In
evaluating a person's
cholesterol, triglycerides
and the ratio of
total cholesterol
to HDL cholesterol
is necessary.
Most
doctors consider
that:
A
total cholesterol
level of 180
or above is
high and they
usually monitor
patients with
these carefully
using regular
testing and
therapy.
A reading of
160 to 180 is
considered borderline,
or high if other
cardiac risk
factors, like
a family history
of heart disease,
are present.
And a reading
below 160 is
low and therefore
desirable.
High
cholesterol levels
usually occur
in mid life, but
abnormally high
cholesterol levels
can occur in any
age group, even
in infants, if
blood lipid abnormally
runs in the family.
If you are concerned
about your risk
for heart disease,
ask your doctor
to check cholesterol
level; and if
your cholesterol
level is too high
for good health,
ask to recommend
a diet and exercise
program that will
help bring your
cholesterol level
down. |
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