What Is Cholesterol in a Blood Test?
Cholesterol is a soft, wax-like substance found in the bloodstream. The human body needs a certain amount of cholesterol to function, but too much of it can cause heart disease and death.
Other People Are Reading
-
About
-
Molecules of cholesterol are transported through the bloodstream by carrier molecules called lipoproteins. There are two types of cholesterol carriers: high density lipoproteins (HDL) and low density lipoproteins (LDL).
Types
-
LDL cholesterol attaches itself to the arterial walls and gradually builds up until blood flow to and from the heart is greatly reduced. This can result in a heart attack. HDL cholesterol binds with LDL and carries it off to the liver to be removed from the body.
-
LDL
-
High levels of LDL cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of heart disease and death, according to the American Heart Association. LDL cholesterol levels should be lower than 160 milligrams per deciliter of blood in healthy persons, and lower than 100 milligrams per deciliter of blood in persons at risk for heart disease.
HDL
-
Higher levels of HDL cholesterol provide protection from the negative effects of LDL and are associated with reduced risk of heart disease. HDL levels should be no less than 40 milligrams per deciliter and ideally higher than 60 milligrams per deciliter.
Total Cholesterol
-
The sum of HDL and LDL levels is referred to as total cholesterol. The American Heart Association has established acceptable levels of total blood cholesterol for healthy persons. Normal total blood cholesterol is 200mg/dL or lower. A level of 240mg/dL or higher is considered high cholesterol.
Identification
-
Abnormal cholesterol levels are identified by a cholesterol screening, during which a doctor will draw a patient's blood and have it analyzed in a lab.
-
