CHOLESTEROL TEST
When levels of cholesterol build up in the body beyond
healthy levels, they stick to these membranes and artery
walls interfering with normal body transport functions.
This reasults in cardiovascular disease.
Although no limited to the aging population, cholesterol
levels do tend to increase with age.
It is important to have your cholesterol levels check
every few years after age 40.
There are two main forms of lipoproteins:
- Low density lipoproteins (LDL),
which carry cholesterol from the liver to the cells.
- High density lipoproteins (HDL),
which return the extra cholesterol to the liver.
Cholesterol tests measure 'blood lipids'; all the fatty
substances in the blood, including HDL cholesterol,
LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
LDL - The Bad Choleseterol
The liver converts unburned food metabolites into very
low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and secretes them into
plasma. Here, they are converted to low-density lipoprotein
(LDL) particles and non-esterified fatty acids, which
can affect other body cells.
In healthy individuals, the relatively few LDL particles
are large. In contrast, large numbers of small dense
LDL (sdLDL) particles are strongly associated with the
presence of disease within the arteries.
For this reason, LDL is referred to as "bad cholesterol".
HDL - Good Cholesterol
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles transport
cholesterol back to the liver for excretion. They vary
considerably in their effectiveness in doing so.
Having high volume of large HDL particles correlates
with better health; hence it is commonly called "good
cholesterol".
Having small amounts of large HDL particles is independently
associated with disease within the arteries.
Total Blood Cholesterol Tests
In 1987 botyh the National Cholesterol Education Program,
and the The American Heart Association Adult Treatment
Panels suggest the total blood cholesterol level should
be:
- Level of <200 mg/dL and <5.2 mmol/L
- being a desirable level corresponding to
lower risk for heart disease.
- 200-239 mg/dL and 5.2-6.2 mmol/L
were considered orderline high risk. and
- >240 mg/dL and >6.2 mmol/L
- High risk
There measures are now outdated.
Today's testing methods determine LDL ("bad")
and HDL ("good") cholesterol separately.
Todays Levels
On todays testing, the desirable LDL level is considered
to be less than 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L); with a target
of <70 mg/dL in higher risk individuals.
A ratio of total cholesterol to HDL of far less than
5:1 is thought to be healthier.
NOTE: most testing methods for LDL do not actually
measure LDL in the blood, for cost reasons. Instead,
LDL values are estimated using the Friedewald formula:
[total cholesterol] - [total HDL] - 20% of the triglyceride
value = estimated LDL.
Total cholesterol =
HDL + LDL + VLDL.
where:
- Total HDL, and triglycerides are actually measured.
- VLDL is estimated as one-fifth of the triglycerides.
It is important to fast for at least 8-12 hours before
the blood test because the triglyceride level varies
significantly with food intake.
If you have high levels of both triglycerides and blood
cholesterol, you run a greater risk of coronary heart
disease.
If you also have a low level of HDL cholesterol and
a high level of LDL cholesterol; the risk is even higher.
A high level of triglycerides also increases the risk
of coronary heart disease and stroke.
Related Reading
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