High cholesterol is usually diagnosed by a cholesterol test. A cholesterol test can examine the levels of various types of lipids in your blood, as well as assess your risk for heart disease. While this test is important and relatively life-saving, it also relatively easy to perform.
Cholesterol tests can be virtually performed anywhere nowadays -- from in your healthcare provider's office to your own home. While getting a cholesterol test is extremely important, it is also an extremely easy and painless test to undergo. All that is required of you is a little bit of blood, and you can find out what your cholesterol levels are, as well as your risk for getting heart disease later on in life. If you haven't had a cholesterol test yet, why not see how getting a cholesterol test can benefit you and why you need one.
The term "cholesterol" actually refers to two main lipids, or fats, that circulate in your blood: high density lipoproteins (
HDL) and low density lipoproteins (
LDL). Cholesterol tests performed in your healthcare provider's office will typically measure these types of cholesterol, total cholesterol levels, and
triglycerides, which are another type of fat circulating in your blood. Knowing the levels of each of these types of lipids will help your healthcare provider assess your risk for heart disease, as well as develop a treatment plan to help you lower your cholesterol levels.
Out of all of the medical tests and procedures out there, the cholesterol test (like most blood tests) is probably one of the most easy to prepare for. Even though you don't need to do much to get ready for this test, the minimal preparation you do need to do is extremely important in order to have accurate results. This article will tell you how to prepare for your cholesterol test.
You may have already spotted a home cholesterol test while shopping at your local pharmacy. They appear to be pretty convenient, but how accurate are they? Some may be more accurate than others, and it all depends on how long you fast before the test, as well as what types of cholesterol these tests measure. Knowing what to do before taking a home cholesterol test will give you more accurate results.
The majority of cholesterol tests are performed at your healthcare provider's office. But every once in a while, you might stumble upon the opportunity of having your cholesterol checked out at a health fair. Health fairs often take place at community events, at a mall or at your church. Most often, these tests are free, and may provide you some valuable information about your cholesterol and your risk for heart disease. So, how accurate are they? They can give you a glimpse of your heart disease risk -- if you follow some
simple, easy tips.
