Symptoms and Diagnosis of High Cholesterol
By Jennifer Moll, About.com Guide to Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fatty molecule that is made by your liver. Although you need cholesterol in order perform a variety of functions, such as making hormones and providing support to cells, too much cholesterol in your blood can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Knowing the symptoms of high cholesterol, as well as getting tested regularly, will help keep your heart healthy.
Understanding Cholesterol
Fatty molecule -- that sounds pretty straightforward. Unfortunately, cholesterol is a little more complex than this simple definition hints at. There are different types of cholesterol, and one of them is actually good for you.
Determining if You're at Risk
Despite the potentially deadly problems associated with high cholesterol, many people don't know that they have or should be concerned about high cholesterol until they've been tested. Knowing your risk factors, as well as your cholesterol numbers, will help you protect yourself from heart disease in the future.
Diagnosing High Cholesterol
High cholesterol is diagnosed through a blood test. This test, otherwise known as a lipid panel, can be performed in your health care provider's office, at a health fair, or even at home. Once you know your numbers, you will be able to more clearly assess your risk for heart disease and devise a plan to get your cholesterol to a healthy level.
