How to Test Cholesterol

Cholesterol can be found in every cell of your body. It is very important to maintain normal levels of cholesterol because it plays a role in many bodily functions. Most of your cholesterol is produced by your body, but 25 percent comes from food. According to the American Heart Association, having high cholesterol puts you at serious risk for coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. High cholesterol is controllable in most people. The first step in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is to have a cholesterol test.

Instructions

• 1

  Go to the doctor. He will want to know about your lifestyle and whether there is a history of heart disease in your family. Typically, an adult should have a routine cholesterol screening once every five years. If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol already, or if you are at risk, your doctor may suggest more frequent screenings. Home test kits are available, but these are not a substitute for clinical cholesterol screenings.

• 2

  Take a blood test. Your doctor will order this test. You can expect to have a medical professional use a needle to draw a blood sample from your arm. There are also portable testing devices, which retain a testing sample by pricking your finger. If you are sick or have recently had surgery, be sure to wait six weeks before having a cholesterol test, as results may not be accurate during these times.

• 3

  Ask the doctor to explain the results. Cholesterol below 200 mg/dL is considered desirable. Levels slightly above that are borderline high. But if your cholesterol levels are at or above 240 mg/dL, you are at a high risk for heart disease. There are many individual aspects to cholesterol that your doctor will go over with you in detail.

• 4

  Practice good health habits. This means a well-balanced diet with plenty of heart-healthy exercise. If you discover that you have high cholesterol, your doctor will come up with a plan of action to treat you. This may include diet, exercise and medication. Since the cause of a person's high cholesterol may vary among several different factors, each person will require a plan of action that is tailored to his needs. Having regular screenings and practicing a healthy lifestyle is one of the best ways to prevent heart disease.