Preparing for Your Cholesterol Test: What You Need to Know

High blood cholesterol is one of the leading risks for heart disease. You can use a number of options to reduce cholesterol levels, including medication, diet, exercise and supplements. However, you first need a blood screening to determine if you have high cholesterol.

Cholesterol

• Not all cholesterol is bad. Understanding which is which can help you make better lifestyle choices. Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in blood lipids. It helps form cell membranes and some hormones. Cholesterol cannot dissolve in the blood. Lipoproteins have to transport cholesterol, hence, the last L in LDL and HDL. LDL cholesterol tends to clog arteries while HDL cholesterol is an effective transporter of cholesterol. In blood tests, both types of cholesterol are measured individually and added together. Your doctor won't be concerned if your HDL is high, only if the LDL is.

Why Test

• Since high cholesterol is an indicator for coronary artery disease, testing for it can help you avoid the disease. You should have a complete cholesterol and triglycerides test done every five years. The test checks LDL, HDL, total cholesterol and triglycerides.

Preparations

• You will be asked to not eat or drink anything for 12 hours before the test. However, for those people who need to take medications, get dry mouth or simply want to try and stop hunger pangs, you may drink water.

Testing

• Your part in the test should take just a few minutes. A technician will wipe the inside of your elbow with antiseptic to cleanse it of germs and then wrap an elastic band around your arm to make your veins swell with blood. This makes it easier for the technician to find a vein. Blood is drawn from one of your veins using a needle, and it is collected in a vial where it will be sent to the laboratory for testing. The needle is then removed and a small piece of gauze is placed over the puncture site until the bleeding stops.

Measurements

• The measurement of blood cholesterol levels tells your doctor how much fat is in your blood. The measurement is in milligrams per deciliter, or mg/dL. Your measurement should be less than 200 mg/dL. Borderline high is considered between 200 and 239 mg/dL. High is considered 240 mg/dL and above. If your measurement is high or borderline high, you'll need to lower you cholesterol level.