September is National Cholesterol Screening Month, highlighting the importance of having your cholesterol levels checked. Having high cholesterol is asymptomatic, so getting a blood test is the only way to determine your risk. Luckily, if the test indicates that your cholesterol is high, there are ways you can reduce it and improve your health. Keep reading to learn more about cholesterol screening and what to do if testing shows that your levels are high.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance that occurs naturally in your body and is needed for proper body function. It’s found in several places in the body, such as the cells in the brain, nerves, muscles and skin. Depending on the totals of the specific types of cholesterol in the body, excess cholesterol is either excreted from the body or deposited in the arteries.
When does cholesterol become a problem?
When high levels of cholesterol build up in the arteries, it raises the risk for heart disease and stroke, which are two of the leading causes of death in the United States.
When and how often should people get screened for high cholesterol?
The American Heart Association recommends that all adults age 20 or older have their cholesterol and other traditional risk factors checked every four to six years as long as their risk remains low. People with cardiovascular disease and those at elevated risk may need their cholesterol and other risk factors assessed more often. Ask your doctor how often you should get screened.
How does cholesterol screening work, and what does it measure?
You can go to your primary care doctor for a blood test called a lipoprotein profile, which can test your total cholesterol levels, including LDL (low-density lipoprotein, or “bad” cholesterol), HDL (high-density lipoprotein, or “good” cholesterol), and triglycerides.
What are the next steps if testing shows that my cholesterol is high?
First, talk with your doctor about your results. Your doctor may prescribe medication to help treat your high cholesterol. Then focus on making healthy lifestyle changes like these:
- Eat low-fat, high-fiber food, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Quit tobacco.
- Maintain a healthy weight and watch your waistline! Too much abdominal fat is linked to high cholesterol.
- Exercise—adults should aim to get 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate exercise weekly, or 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous physical activity each week.
