What Happens During Cholesterol Testing

Those eating a traditional western diet on the daily basis may have developed conditions of which they are not yet aware. Stroke and heart attacks, both caused by heart disease, are one of the most frequent causes of death of American men and women. The most frightening aspect of both is that a person could be at risk and not even realize it. High cholesterol or trigyceride levels are both an indicator of a person’s risk for developing heart disease. A simple blood test can show a patient’s cholesterol levels and will help him, with their doctor’s assistance, figure out how best to manage their bad cholesterol before it is too late.

WHAT IS IT?

A cholesterol test checks cholesterol levels in blood. It is sometimes called a fasting lipoprotein test. It is able to measure total cholesterol including a person’s HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol, prevents bad cholesterol buildup), LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol, causes the backup), andtTrigylceride levels (fat that can lead to blockage of the arteries).

Prior to undergoing the test, you must refrain from eating anything for 14 hours. You also need to not consume alcohol for at least 48 hours. A blood sample is taken from an arm vein by a nurse in a medical facility and is then sent to a testing lab for analysis. The results are returned to your physician and he decides on the health of the reading, and if any follow-up treatment is needed.

WHO NEEDS IT?

It is recommended that adults over the age of 20 have a cholesterol test every five years. Even those who feel healthy and appear to be in perfect physical condition can suffer silently from high cholesterol. Factors like metabolism and lifestyle can affect your weight, so you may appear to be in perfect health and still suffer from elevated cholesterol levels.

The test is also useful for those who wish to check their response to the cholesterol medication they are currently taking. In order to determine if the medication is helpful, you will need to monitor your cholesterol levels on the regular basis. A test can also determine a person’s chance of suffering from a heart attack or stroke by predicting the likelihood of artery blockage. Finally, those who are experiencing unusual symptoms like yellow, fatty deposits under the surface of the skin may want to undergo the test. These symptoms can indicate a rare genetic disease that may lead to unhealthy cholesterol levels.

Benefits

The greatest benefit of having a cholesterol test is its ability to help with prevention. It will give you an indication of your current state of health and whether anything needs to be changed to ensure you remain healthy. It will also let you know if changes need to be made to reduce cholesterol levels if they are currently elevated. Correcting your cholesterol levels may be as simple as altering your diet. Severe cases will need additional action. But if you are in the early stages of developing high cholesterol, the test can help you determine your future diet. The test is simple and quick, and there is no recovery period.

Risks

Risks associated with the test are few. There is a slight risk of infection from the needle. Those undergoing the test may experience a bit of bruising around the insertion point of the needle. Those who suffer from blood disorders will need to ensure the bleeding has stopped before leaving the testing facility. The technician will apply pressure, or ask the you to apply pressure following the blood extraction, and will secure gauze on the area after withdraw. There is a chance you may feel lightheaded or dizzy following withdraw of blood. This typically passes after a few minutes.

False readings do happen. So if you are surprised by the results, speak with your doctor and consider undergoing the test a second time. If your doctor did not advise you to fast prior to the test, or you chose not to, this will seriously alter your results. Those with doctor’s who prescribe medication as a first defense following a reading may want to consider a second opinion. If you are confident the test was accurate and you followed fasting rules, your results may dictate a change in diet, as opposed to a lifetime commitment to medication. You may want to consider speaking with a nutritionist about your results and your current diet. The recommendations the nutritionist gives you can be discussed with your doctor. If you are willing to commit to a healthy, low-fat diet, your doctor may determine that medication is not necessary for treatment.

Cholesterol testing is recommended as a preventative measure for adults leading a typical western lifestyle. If you have been known to indulge in burgers and fries, it is probably a good idea to get the test as soon as possible. However, those who are the picture of health should consider the test as well. Heart disease is affected by heredity as much as lifestyle. So the test can help everyone determine what they need to do to ensure heart health.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.