Contributed by – Healthians Team
When was the last time you had your cholesterol tested? Well, if it wasn’t recent, you should get it done!
Given that carrying high levels of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) in your blood is unhealthy for your heart, it is important that you maintain a general understanding of your cholesterol levels. Revealed in time, elevated cholesterol can be overcome and serious health problems can be avoided.
What is the LDL Cholesterol test?
There are two main types of cholesterol in your blood: low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or ‘bad’ cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or ‘good’ cholesterol. Think of the ‘L’ in LDL as lousy’ and the ‘H’ in HDL as ‘healthy.’ A blood test for cholesterol, called fasting lipoprotein profile, measures the amount of each type of cholesterol and certain fats in your blood called triglycerides.
Who should get an LDL Cholesterol test?
Specialists recommend that every adult with no other risk factors for the heart should get an LDL-C screening done as part of lipid profile at least once every five years beginning at age 20. It is also advisable that LDL-C monitoring should be done more frequently when risk factors for heart disease are present, or if the previous testing showed high risk levels, and/or when taking lipid-lowering medicines.
Who should NOT get an LDL Cholesterol test?
Children under the age of 2 should not be screened for LDL. Also, individuals who have undergone surgery should wait six weeks before having their LDL test done. Likewise, new mothers must wait at least six weeks post-delivery before having their LDL levels tested, since pregnancy causes a temporary increase in LDL cholesterol levels.
Why is the LDL Cholesterol test needed?
The test is needed to estimate your likelihood of developing heart disease. If you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it cannot be broken down and this can lead to heart disease and stroke. It can also combine with other substances in the blood to form plaque. Plaque sticks to the inner walls of your arteries. This build-up of plaque is medically termed as atherosclerosis. As these deposits build-up, it can lead to coronary artery disease, where your coronary arteries become clogged or even blocked. It can also cause kidney failure and poor circulation, and raise your risk of blood clots.
So it is extremely important for everyone — men and women of every age, with or without any known heart disease — to have a low LDL cholesterol level. A sure way to maintain a normal level of cholesterol is regular testing.
Now let’s have a look at what the LDL-C test results actually mean? Read on to understand how to interpret the numbers.
What does an LDL Cholesterol test result mean?
The Indian Heart Association says that the optimal LDL cholesterol in mg/dL is 100 or less. Likewise, 100-129 is near optimal. 130-159 is borderline high. A reading between 160 and above is considered high risk. 190 mg/dL and above is a strong indicator that you should consider building up a wellness plan around it, including lifestyle changes, diet, and exercise for reducing a high risk for heart disease — as well as the use of cholesterol lowering medication.
Table 1: LDL results interpretation
| Optimal | 100 or less mg/dL |
| Near Optimal | 100-129 mg/dL |
| Borderline High | 130-159 mg/dL |
| High | 160- 189 mg/dL |
| High Risk | Greater than 189 mg/dL |
How is the LDL Cholesterol test done?
Laboratory tests for LDL-C typically require a simple blood sample typically drawn after fasting for 9 to 12-hours. This is because consuming food and drinks can temporarily change the levels of cholesterol in your blood. However, it is okay to have water. Certain medications can impact your LDL levels, so it is important to tell your doctor if you’re taking any over-the-counter drugs, prescription medications, or herbal supplements.
The Takeaway
People with high LDL cholesterol often have no symptoms and feel completely okay till a stroke or heart attack strikes. The best way to find out if your LDL cholesterol is high is to have a blood test done. If the numbers are high, it’s best to visit your doctor to determine what action/s need to be taken.
