You cannot “feel” high cholesterol, but the effects of having it can be deadly. High cholesterol, like diabetes or high blood pressure, can be present without any symptoms. This does not mean you have less to be worried about. High cholesterol can place you at serious risk of complications, including stroke or heart attack.
If you have risk factors for heart disease, you need to be tested regularly, especially as you get older. Besides high blood pressure and obesity, high cholesterol is one of the main risk factors for heart disease.
Learning what cholesterol is, the types of cholesterol, and how to lower it will significantly reduce your risk for secondary diseases. We’ll go over what cholesterol is, the different types of cholesterol, and testing to determine if your cholesterol is high.
What is Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fat-like, waxy substance, naturally produced by your liver. It’s crucial for cell membrane formation, vitamin D, and some hormones. Because it is not dissolved in water, your liver produces lipoproteins to help transport it through the blood.
Lipoproteins are made from protein and fat and carry cholesterol and triglycerides (another lipid type) through your bloodstream. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) are the two major forms of lipoproteins. A blood test will indicate If your blood contains too much LDL cholesterol. You have high cholesterol if your blood contains too much LDL cholesterol (cholesterol carried by low-density lipoprotein).
Types of Cholesterol
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered bad cholesterol. Levels of cholesterol that are too high can be carried to your arteries, where they build up on the walls. This build-up is called cholesterol plaque and can increase the likelihood of blood clot formation, narrow your arteries, and limit your blood flow. Over one-third of American adults have elevated levels of LDL cholesterol, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL), also called good cholesterol, helps your liver remove LDL cholesterol from your body. This aids in preventing cholesterol plaque from collecting in your arteries.
There is another type of cholesterol called very low-density (VLDL) that transports triglycerides through your body. VLDL is another type of lipid that can increase the risk of heart disease when elevated.
Risk Factors for High Cholesterol
Some risk factors can be changed, others cannot. Your genetics, age, and sex are things you cannot control, but you can change your diet and how much exercise you get.
Here are more risk factors to consider:
- Type II diabetes
- Smoking
- Family history of high cholesterol
- Lack of exercise
- Obesity
- Eating a diet high in saturated and trans fats
The risk of having high cholesterol increases with age due to changes in your metabolism, meaning you should be monitored closely and have regular testing by your doctor.
Testing for High Cholesterol
A blood test is the only way to tell if you have high cholesterol. This test is done with a lipid panel that measures the level of different blood fats from a blood sample. These blood fats are triglycerides, non-HDL cholesterol (including VLDL), HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol (the total amount of all types of cholesterol).
A reference range of values is used to determine whether the various levels are high or low. Abnormal is anything outside the reference value, and normal is anything between the high and low values. Your blood pressure is assessed along with your lipid levels to determine your ten-year risk of heart disease. Your age, weight, and sex are also factored into this assessment.
It is ultimately the relationship between the various values, high and low, that determine if your cholesterol levels are acceptable, if treatment is needed, or how well you are responding to treatment. In the United States, reference ranges in a lipid panel vary by age and sex.
Examples of acceptable lipid panel readings for 19 and under:
- Normal LDL is under 100mg/dL
- Normal HDL 45mg/dL or more
- Total cholesterol under 120mg/dL
Examples for acceptable lipid panel readings for females 20 and over:
- Normal LDL is under 100mg/dL
- Normal HDL 40mg/dL or more
- Total cholesterol between 125 to 200mg/dL
Examples for acceptable lipid panel readings for males 20 and over:
- Normal LDL is under 100mg/dL
- Normal HDL 50mg/dL or more
- Total cholesterol under 130mg/dL
How You Can Get Tested
With all of these benefits in mind, it’s essential not to neglect an annual physical, as this is your chance to receive regular checkups and preventative care, saving you time, money, and potentially even your life.
Your health should feel important to you and your healthcare provider, and the personalized and attentive care provided by Direct Primary Care is the best way to ensure this. If you’re tired of dealing with brief, impersonal appointments where there’s not enough time to address all of your concerns adequately, you can put your trust in the hands of Assurance Healthcare & Counseling Center.
Our simple membership plan gets you same-day appointments, unlimited visits, and medications and tests at a low, not-for-profit cost. Most importantly, you’ll get a provider who can make time for you and all of your concerns when you need their attention most. Membership with Assurance Healthcare & Counseling Center also includes a free annual physical blood panel, so members can be sure their cholesterol levels are in the healthy range. Contact our team now and learn more or to become a member.