What is the significance of increased cholesterol serum

This should be as low as possible. Above 6 is considered high. This table is a general guide for ideal cholesterol and triglyceride levels for healthy adults in the UK.

If you have a condition such as heart disease or diabetes, your target levels may be lower — your doctor will be able to tell you your individual targets. Triglycerides are another type of blood fat and your triglyceride levels can tell you more about your health. People with high triglyceride levels often have a low HDL level as well, which is an unhealthy combination that's often linked with premature heart disease.

It can be inherited and is often occurs in people who carry their weight around their middle. As a general rule, these are the ideal triglyceride levels for healthy adults. Fasting triglycerides are where you fast for a period of time before your blood test, usually hours:. If you have high cholesterol, high triglycerides or an unhealthy balance of blood fats, your doctor will probably recommend bringing these levels down with lifestyle changes and sometimes treatments.

Your doctor should look at your results in relation to any other risk factors for heart disease you may have such as high blood pressure, being overweight or smoking, as well as other health conditions such as diabetes. Once you have your cholesterol results you can work out your risk of developing heart disease over the next 10 years using the NHS Heart Age Tool. You will get a more accurate result if you know your blood pressure numbers too. The heart age tool is designed for people aged 25 to Adults age are also invited for NHS Health Checks which includes other simple tests to look at your heart health.

Women naturally have higher HDL cholesterol good cholesterol levels than men due to differences in the genes. Women should aim for an HDL cholesterol level above 1. During pregnancy, both cholesterol and triglyceride levels can significantly rise. We don't recommend getting a cholesterol test during pregnancy because your results won't be accurate.

Our advice is to wait until at least weeks after your baby is born or after you stop breastfeeding to get a cholesterol test. It removes cholesterol from the bloodstream. If your total cholesterol level is high because of a high LDL level, you may be at higher risk of heart disease or stroke. Triglycerides are another type of fat in your blood. When you eat more calories than your body can use, it turns the extra calories into triglycerides.

Changing your lifestyle diet and exercise can improve your cholesterol levels, lower LDL and triglycerides, and raise HDL. Often, there are no specific symptoms of high cholesterol. You could have high cholesterol and not know it. If you have high cholesterol, your body may store the extra cholesterol in your arteries. These are blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. A buildup of cholesterol in your arteries is known as plaque.

Over time, plaque can become hard and make your arteries narrow. Large deposits of plaque can completely block an artery. Cholesterol plaques can also break apart, leading to formation of a blood clot that blocks the flow of blood. A blocked artery to the heart can cause a heart attack. A blocked artery to your brain can cause a stroke. Some people find out through routine check-ups that include blood tests.

Your liver produces cholesterol, but you also get cholesterol from food. Eating too many foods that are high in fat can increase your cholesterol level. Being overweight and inactive also causes high cholesterol. If you are overweight, you most likely have a higher level of triglycerides. You family history also affects your cholesterol level.

Research has shown that high cholesterol tends to run in families. If you have an immediate family member who has it, you could have it, too. A simple blood test will reveal your cholesterol level. Men 35 years of age and older and women 45 years of age and older should have their cholesterol checked.

Men and women 20 years of age and older who have risk factors for heart disease should have their cholesterol checked. Teens may need to be checked if they are taking certain medicines or have a strong family history of high cholesterol. Ask your doctor how often you should have your cholesterol checked. Making healthy food choices and exercising are two ways to reduce your risk of developing high cholesterol. Eat fewer foods with saturated fats such as red meat and most dairy products. Choose healthier fats.

This includes lean meats, avocados, nuts, and low-fat dairy items. Avoid foods that contain trans fat such as fried and packaged foods. Look for foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These foods include salmon, herring, walnuts, and almonds. A doctor draws blood from your arm — enough to fill one or more little vials.

The blood samples are sent to a lab for analysis. A healthy adult should have a blood test that includes a serum cholesterol check every four to six years.

As you get older, your doctor may advise you to have your cholesterol, and other markers of health like your blood pressure, checked every year. This is especially true if you have risk factors for cardiovascular disease. These factors include:. Serum cholesterol tests can show whether the medication is working.

It usually takes several days or even a few weeks to get your blood test results back. Your serum cholesterol includes:. LDL is the type of cholesterol that forms waxy plaque on the inside wall of an artery. Too much plaque can limit blood flow through that artery. Plaque can also rupture, spilling its contents of cholesterol, fats, and waste products into the blood vessel. As platelets rush to the injury, a blood clot can form. Platelets are a type of cell found in blood. If the clot is in an artery in the heart, called a coronary artery, a heart attack can occur.

If the clot travels to the brain and blocks blood flow, the result is a stroke. Learn more: Is it a stroke or a heart attack? Higher levels of HDL are associated with better cardiovascular health. As for triglycerides, lower is better. Fat cells store the unused triglycerides. Consuming more calories than you burn will lead to weight gain and, often, higher triglyceride levels.

Add your HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, plus 20 percent of your triglycerides, to calculate your serum cholesterol levels. Your doctor would see that number as a warning sign and work with you on making changes that will bring your numbers down.

Treating high serum cholesterol often focuses on exercising regularly and following a healthy diet low in saturated fat. The most commonly prescribed drugs for cholesterol control are statins.

Several types of statins are available. Each kind works a little differently in the body, but they all work to lower your LDL levels. Learn more: 6 statin drugs and their side effects ».