Cholesterol is a fatty, waxy material that travels through your bloodstream. Your body needs some cholesterol to operate properly and produce vitamin D, hormones, and substances that help you digest food. However, too much cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries, blocking blood flow to your heart and brain.
This plaque buildup is known as atherosclerosis, which can cause cardiac disease, stroke, and other severe conditions – making early cholesterol screening essential. Given the connection between cholesterol and heart disease, you should check your cholesterol levels periodically.
High blood cholesterol usually does not cause symptoms, so you could have unhealthy levels and not even realize it. Routine cholesterol screenings help assess your risk for cardiovascular disease so you and your healthcare provider can better understand your overall heart health.
When Should You Get Cholesterol Screening?
The decision of how frequently you should get a cholesterol screening largely hinges on various risk factors such as your age, sex, health conditions, lifestyle factors, and family history. As you get older, staying on top of your cholesterol levels becomes even more essential. Here is some general advice based on age and risk status:
Children and Adolescents
The American Heart Association advises that all children get their first cholesterol test between 9 and 11 years old. After this baseline screening, additional testing is recommended every 5 years for children with normal cholesterol levels. More frequent screening may be necessary if a child has obesity, diabetes, or a family history of high cholesterol or cardiac disease.
Adults 20 Years and Older
Adult women with healthy cholesterol levels should aim to get tested every 4 to 6 years. Adult men and women with borderline or unhealthy cholesterol numbers may require testing as often as every 1 to 2 years. Some healthcare providers may recommend yearly screenings for patients with high cholesterol or underlying cardiovascular issues.
Older Adults
Once women reach menopause and beyond, their cholesterol levels can rise. Cholesterol testing at least once yearly is suggested for women ages 65 and up. Yearly testing is also prudent for men beginning at age 65, particularly if they have contributing risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Understanding Your Personal Risk Factors
Along with your age and sex, various other factors also impact how often you should receive a cholesterol workup. Assessing your personal risk helps determine an appropriate screening frequency. Some of the main influences include:
Family History: Having a first-degree relative with high cholesterol or premature heart disease puts you at increased genetic risk.- Weight: Excess weight strains your cardiovascular system, especially if fat accumulates around your middle.
- Blood Pressure & Blood Sugar: High blood pressure and diabetes raise your chance of atherosclerosis.
- Lifestyle Habits: Smoking, poor diet, inactivity, and excessive alcohol intake negatively impact cholesterol levels and heart health.
What Does the Screening Entail?
A cholesterol test requires a blood sample, usually obtained by a quick needle stick in your arm. No special preparation is needed beforehand unless your healthcare provider instructs you to fast for 9 to 12 hours. Sometimes, a cholesterol check is included as part of routine wellness bloodwork.
The test provides important cholesterol measurements:
- Total cholesterol
- LDL a.k.a. “bad” cholesterol
- HDL a.k.a. “good” cholesterol
- Triglycerides (blood fats)
Your healthcare provider interprets your results and discusses recommended treatment options if your levels are not ideal. Lifestyle changes to improve your numbers may include heart-healthy eating, regular exercise, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol. If cholesterol remains high despite these efforts, medication may be advised.
What Do My Cholesterol Numbers Mean?
Ideally, your total cholesterol level should be under 200 mg/dL. Total cholesterol between 200-239 mg/dL is borderline high, while 240 mg/dL or above is considered high.
LDL cholesterol predicts risk more than any other variable. An optimal LDL is under 100 mg/dL, with under 70 mg/dL optimal for those already diagnosed with heart disease. A reading over 160 mg/dL is concerning.
For protective HDL, higher numbers are better. Below 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL for women is undesirable. Triglycerides should ideally be below 150 mg/dL.
Overall risk is based on multiple elements beyond your cholesterol. Your healthcare provider looks at the entire picture, including other diseases you may have, before determining next steps.
What You Can Do to Improve Your Cholesterol
Making heart-healthy modifications can help your cholesterol numbers move in a positive direction:
- Increase physical activity to 30 minutes most days
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Choose better fats and reduce your consumption of saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol in your diet
- Eat more fiber-rich fruits, veggies, and whole grains
- Limit added sugars, salt, and processed foods
- Drink alcohol at moderate levels or avoid it completely
- Stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
- Manage stress levels by employing self-care practices
Small, sustainable adjustments to your lifestyle add up over time and significantly influence your cholesterol results and, ultimately, your heart disease risk. Committing to regular cholesterol screening enables you to track your improvement.
Schedule Your Cholesterol Screening Today
Routine cholesterol testing allows early detection and better control of high cholesterol before complications arise. Imperial Center Family Medicine healthcare specialists have extensive training in evidence-based prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of lipid disorders.
Our integrated approach looks at your whole health picture to create personalized heart wellness plans, including tailored lifestyle change recommendations and cholesterol medication if appropriate. Contact us today at 919-873-4437 or online to understand your cholesterol levels and take proactive steps to reduce your risk.