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Wheatgrass CapsulesCholesterol Levels And Your Health

In order for a doctor to determine your body's cholesterol level a simple blood test is done by taking a blood sample from your finger or your arm. This sample is then tested for your high-density lipoprotein level (HDL) and your total cholesterol level. Sometimes a more thorough test is carried out which measures the total cholesterol level, the HDL level, the low-density lipoprotein level (LDL) and triglycerides in your blood. The results of this test are then interpreted by your doctor to determine if you have high cholesterol and are therefore at risk from heart disease.

Cholesterol travels through the bloodstream and attaches itself to proteins forming what are called lipoproteins. There are two kinds of lipoproteins. The first is a low-density lipoprotein which delivers cholesterol to the body. The second is a high-density lipoprotein which removes cholesterol from the bloodstream. Because of these differing functions LDL has been dubbed "bad" cholesterol and HDL the "good" cholesterol because too much LDL cholesterol is bad for your body. For instance, if your total cholesterol level is high because your LDL level is high, it puts you at a higher risk of heart disease or stroke. This is not the case if your total cholesterol level is high as a result of your HDL level being high. The latter scenario does not put you at as high a risk as the former mainly because of the differenct functions of HDL and LDL. However, irrespective of both HDL and LDL levels the total blood cholesterol level is still important in determining risk.

There are three types of cholesterol levels. The first level is "Desirable" - less than 200 mg/dL and is the ideal blood cholesterol level. The second is "Borderline High Risk" which is anywhere between 200 to 239 mg/dL. Anymore than 240 mg/dL is considered "High Risk" and is the level at which the greatest risk of heart disease is found.

A person with a "Desirable" cholesterol level will do well to continue eating food low in saturated fat and therefore low in cholesterol. Even though the risk to your heart is relatively low at this level it does not mean you can relax and put your guard down. Have your cholesterol levels checked every five years and more often if you're a man over 45 or a woman over 55.

If you're a borderline high risk level person and your HDL is less than 40 mg/dL, have your cholesterol and HDL level measured every one or two years. If you are at risk for heart disease from other factors such as a genetic predispostion then you will need to be tested more frequently. Decrease your high-saturated fat and high-cholesterol food intake.

If you are considered to be "High Risk" you will need more tests and further advice from your physician.

Of course, the individual lipoprotein levels in the total blood cholesterol also plays a major role in heart disease risk. Each also has its own level. Less than 130 LDL cholesterol level is best, between 130 to 159 is borderline high and above that puts you at a greater risk for heart disease. For HDL cholesterol level, less than 40 equals a higher risk for heart disease and 60 or higher reduces the risk.

Interpreting cholesterol levels is a skilled job and every case is different so you would be well advised to have a laboratory test carried out through a clinic. At the very least take your home test to your phsycian so you can get a professional view of the results.

Sue Burchill writes about a number of health topics from a lay person's perspective. Visit http://loweringcholesterolhelp.com to find more information about cholesterol and how it affects your health. Learn aboutcholesterol testing, the different types of cholesterol, treatment for high cholesterol, what is a low cholesterol food, how your diet effects your cholesterol levels and much more.

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