The person should only stop taking their medication if the healthcare professional asks them to and while under medical supervision. Some foods can help reduce cholesterol.
For example, soluble fiber can bind with cholesterol in the digestive system and remove it from the body. Additionally, polyunsaturated fats can help lower LDL levels. According to Harvard Health , a person should aim to include the following in their diet:. Learn more about 15 foods that lower cholesterol here. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that diets containing too much saturated fat and trans fat are the leading causes of high blood cholesterol.
People should aim to avoid foods that are high in saturated and trans fats. These include but are not limited to:. In some cases, a person may need to fast the night before a cholesterol test.
A person should speak with a healthcare professional about whether or not they should fast before their test. If fasting is not necessary, the person should be able to eat and drink normally before their test. The CDC recommends that most adults get their cholesterol levels checked every 4—6 years. People with heart disease or diabetes should have their cholesterol levels checked more frequently.
High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart attacks and coronary heart disease, because it builds up in the arteries, narrowing them. It does not…. Eating a healthy diet is one way to keep cholesterol levels in check. Learn which foods to avoid and which to prioritize to maintain healthy…. Read this article to find out the….
Having high cholesterol levels does not usually cause any symptoms. A lipoprotein panel, or lipid profile, test will check cholesterol levels. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood is collected into a vial or syringe. The band is then removed to restore circulation, and blood continues to flow into the vial. Once enough blood is collected, the needle is removed and the puncture site is covered with a bandage. There are no precautions you need to take after your cholesterol test.
You should be able to drive yourself home and do all your normal activities. If you've been fasting, you might want to bring a snack to eat after your cholesterol test is done. In the United States, cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams mg of cholesterol per deciliter dL of blood. To interpret your test results, use these general guidelines. These conversions are based on U. If your results show that your cholesterol level is high, don't get discouraged. You might be able to lower your cholesterol with lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, exercising and eating a healthy diet.
If lifestyle changes aren't enough, cholesterol-lowering medications also might help. Talk to your doctor about the best way for you to lower your cholesterol. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview A complete cholesterol test — also called a lipid panel or lipid profile — is a blood test that can measure the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. In the test, a health care professional takes a sample of your blood. If additional blood tests are needed, all the samples are usually taken at once. Discomfort is usually minor.
To determine your cardiovascular risk, your doctor will consider your cholesterol test results in context with your age, sex and family history. Other risk factors , such as smoking, diabetes and high blood pressure, will be considered as well. The American Heart Association recommends that all adults 20 or older have their cholesterol and other traditional risk factors checked every four to six years as long as their risk remains low.
After age 40, your health care professional will also want to use an equation to calculate your year risk of having a heart attack or stroke. People with cardiovascular disease, and those at elevated risk, may need their cholesterol and other risk factors assessed more often. Your doctor will explain what your cholesterol levels mean and can discuss treatment options if your numbers are not where they should be. As noted, your cholesterol levels represent just one of many factors affecting your cardiovascular health.
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