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Men usually have higher cholesterol levels than women until age fifty, after which women overtake men in the reading of cholesterol. Therefore, to address our concerns over cholesterol, it is important to know about LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and three actions that can increase your HDL cholesterol level. Of course, this is slightly exaggerated, though in the general medical terms, high cholesterol is one of the deadliest afflictions of the modern world. As you can see the home cholesterol testing kits will give you a general idea of the overall level of your cholesterol. While it is recognized that there are many factors that contribute to high cholesterol, there are a few things that can be done to lower cholesterol and maintain those normal levels. A common treatment program includes many components such as a prescription regimen and exercise; however, one of the simplest ways to control and reduce elevated cholesterol levels is through a high cholesterol diet.
smoking and hdls
Lentils, citrus, black beans, barley and oats contain soluble fiber and are good substitutes of fatty foods. You also can get them from food; that is why it is important to maintain a cholesterol free diet if you are among those who can expect cholesterol related problems due to past family history. Most physicians agree that combining physical activity and a good diet can help lower and maintain good cholesterol levels. The exercise regime and a good cholesterol free diet will be able to ensure that your body is and stays free of cholesterol. The green vegetables will give iron and all other types of minerals in the body, and you should have also have included fruits. Once the sample is obtained the process of measuring your cholesterol level is determined by analyzing the LDL molecule and its cholesterol portion.
A cholesterol test is an important laboratory examination that tests a blood sample and provides a measurement of the patient's cholesterol level. It is recommended that individuals over the age of 20 years old receive a cholesterol test every five years. As a patient grows older the frequency of testing may increase.
In understanding more about a cholesterol test, it is important to know what a cholesterol test is, what the test results mean and methods of treatment.
What Is A Cholesterol Test?
A cholesterol test is known as a lipid profile and generally measures the HDL and LDL cholesterol levels as well as the triglycerides. The test is conducted on the blood sample that is drawn by laboratory personnel through a doctor's order.
The test is fairly painless with the only possibility of discomfort due to the insertion of a needle into the patients arm. The opposite end of the needle is inserted into a blood collection tube and the cholesterol test is performed on the blood sample.
In addition, the patient is asked to fast prior to the exam. This simply means that the patient should not eat any food 12 hours before the blood sample is to be collected.
What The Results Mean?
When the lab results come back from the medical laboratory there will be two figures that the doctor will be especially interested in. Those numbers will correspond to HDL and LDL cholesterol levels.
A good LDL cholesterol level should fall in the range of 200 mg or less. This is an optimal level and indicates that the patient is at a lower risk for coronary heart disease. If the LDL cholesterol level ranges from 200 to 239 mg this is considered as borderline. Unfortunately, if the LDL level is 240 mg or higher this indicates a high blood cholesterol level and puts the person at great risk for coronary heart disease.
In regards to the HDL level of cholesterol, less is not better. This means that for a man who has an HDL cholesterol level of 40 mg or less puts that individual at a greater risk for heart disease. This level for women corresponds to a level of 50 mg or less. An optimal HDL level reflected on the cholesterol test should be in the range of 60 mg. or above.
Treatment
There are three basic treatments that a doctor can take in regards to abnormal cholesterol test results. Those three responses can include ordering a low-fat diet, suggesting an exercise regimen and medication.
Often, when a cholesterol test indicates that the HDL and LDL levels of cholesterol are abnormal, the easiest treatment method of normalizing those levels of cholesterol is through diet. Often a doctor will prescribe a low-fat diet which means that the patient will need to eat less animal products. This diet will limit their use of eggs, cheeses, cream cheese, butter, etc. In addition the patients intake of red meat and lamb should be limited as well. It is also important that the patient does not eat large amounts of processed food which can contain high levels of saturated fatty foods.
In addition, another treatment method of normalizing cholesterol levels is through exercise. This exercise should be in the form of a highly stimulating cardiovascular exercise routine.
Finally, the doctor may be forced to prescribe medications. These medications can help to reduce or absorb high levels of cholesterol within the blood stream.