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High Blood Cholesterol DiagnosisA lipid profile (lipid panel) is a group of blood tests that measure the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in a person's blood. The American Heart Association recommends that people 20 years old and older should have a lipid profile at least once every 5 years. The following people should be tested more often: - People with a total cholesterol 200 mg/dL or greater.
- Men over age 45 or women over age 50.
- People who have other risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
Lipid profileA lipid profile measures a person's:- Total cholesterol
- LDL (bad) cholesterol
- HDL (good) cholesterol
- Triglycerides
These values indicate whether a person is at risk of having a heart attack or stroke due to atherosclerosis. People should fast (avoid beverages, food, and medications) for at least 9 to 12 hours before the test. The test results are measured in mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) and are evaluated as follows: Total Cholesterol (lower is better)Less than 200 mg/dL
| Desirable | | 200-239 mg/dL | Borderline high | | 240 mg/dL and above | High |
LDL ("bad") cholesterol (lower is better)Less than 70 mg/dL
| Optimal if at very high risk of heart disease | | Less than 100 mg/dL | Optimal if at risk of heart disease | | 100-129 mg/dL | Near optimal | | 130-159 mg/dL | Borderline high | | 160-189 mg/dL | High | | 190 mg/dL and above | Very high |
HDL ("good") cholesterol (higher is better) Less than 40 mg/dL
| A major risk factor for heart disease | | 40–59 mg/dL | The higher, the better | | 60 mg/dL and above | Considered protective against heart disease |
Triglycerides (lower is better)Less than 150 mg/dL
| Normal | | 150-199 mg/dL | Borderline high | | 200-499 mg/dL | High | | 500 mg/dL and above | Very high |
Lipoprotein(a) testLipoprotein(a) contributes to the development of atherosclerosis and is considered a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. People who already have heart disease or have a family history of heart disease may also be tested for blood levels of lipoprotein(a). Normal values are below 30 mg/dL.Lifestyle changes and medications can help people manage unhealthy blood lipid levels.
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