Cholesterol is…

Picture a whitish yellow tinged waxy, fat-like substance. That’s what cholesterol looks like. It can block blood flow to the heart by building up along the walls of arteries. In worse cases, it actually becomes a part of those walls, requiring surgery. Our bodies need a certain amount of cholesterol to function properly. However, when cholesterol levels increase beyond normal levels, we are in danger of heart disease, which is the number one killer of Americans. Cholesterol is produced by the liver and used by the body to build cell walls. It is found in certain foods like eggs, milk, and cheese. When cholesterol levels are too high, it’s an indication that our bodies are incapable of eliminating the excess cholesterol we’ve acquired.

How to find out if your cholesterol levels are normal…

Your physician will order a blood test to check your cholesterol levels. This is a relatively simple test, consisting of the phlebotomist drawing a small vial of blood for testing. On the day of the test, your physician will instruct you to refrain from eating or drinking at least twelve hours prior to testing. Also, in order to ensure an accurate test, you may want to abstain from any alcoholic beverages several days prior to your appointment. And, as with anytime you are having blood tests, if you’ve recently had an illness, be sure to inform your doctor as this may have an effect on your test as well.

What to do?

Your physician should keep you up-to-date on your cholesterol levels and what you should do in the event they are elevated. Staying aware of your physical health is key. Your physician should be able to tell you what your overall cholesterol level is. Most physicians urge their patients to keep it under 200. See what your physician thinks you should do. Also, ask him what your LDL and HDL levels are. And be sure to ask how often you should have your cholesterol checked.