What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a type of fat that circulates in your blood. Cholesterol comes from two sources:
- Your body makes some cholesterol on its own, regardless of what you eat.
- Cholesterol also comes from the foods you eat. Cholesterol is found only in animal products. Foods from plants do not contain cholesterol.
How does cholesterol travel in the blood?
Cholesterol cannot travel in the blood on its own. It is carried by special proteins. Combinations of cholesterol and protein carriers are called "lipoproteins." There are two types of lipoproteins:
- Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs or "bad" cholesterol)
- High-density lipoproteins (HDLs or "good" cholesterol)
Think of LDLs as delivery trucks and HDLs as garbage trucks. LDLs pick up cholesterol from the liver and deliver it to the cells. HDLs remove excess cholesterol from the blood and take it to the liver. A person’s total cholesterol level is a combination of LDL and HDL cholesterol.
What is so bad about cholesterol?
Excess LDL cholesterol in your blood gets deposited in arteries, the blood vessels that feed the heart and brain. These deposits can join with other substances to form plaque. Plaque is a thick, hard deposit in the blood vessel. The name for build-up of plaque in the arteries is atherosclerosis, or "hardening of the arteries." Plaque can narrow the passageway inside the artery and pinch off the flow of blood to the heart muscles. So when the blood cholesterol levels are high, it may lead to heart disease.
How can I get my cholesterol level tested?
Your health care provider can check your cholesterol level by taking a small sample of your blood. The blood sample will be sent to a laboratory for testing. The test will show your total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol levels. Your cholesterol levels may also be checked at free public health screenings, which are occasionally held at schools, churches, community centers, or neighborhood clinics.
How should I prepare for my cholesterol test?
To get accurate results, you should not eat at least 12 hours before the test. You may drink water, however, do not drink other beverages such as coffee, tea, or soda. These beverages may affect the results. In addition, your health care provider may advise you not to take certain drugs that can affect the test.
How much cholesterol is too much?
Your health care provider will discuss your test results with you. A healthy cholesterol level depends on a variety of factors, including:
- Your HDL cholesterol level compared with your LDL cholesterol level
- Your total cholesterol level
- The number of heart disease risk factors you have
- Your age, sex, race, and activity level
- Your current health status (wait at least six weeks after any illness to get tested)
In general, cholesterol test results are categorized as follows:
Total Cholesterol (mg/dl)
Desirable: Below 200
Borderline High: 200-239
High: 240 and Above
LDL Cholesterol (mg/dl)
Optimal: Less than 100
Near/Above Optimal: 100-129
Borderline High: 130-159
High: 160-189
Very High: 190 and Above
HDL Cholesterol (mg/dl) (the higher the number, the better)
Desirable: Above 45
Borderline Low: 40-45
Low: Below 40
If your cholesterol tests are not in the desirable range, your doctor will help you plan a diet program and lifestyle changes. If unsuccessful, medication may be required.
How often should I get my cholesterol levels checked?
Testing should generally start at the age of 20, and should be repeated every 5 years. If your cholesterol level is in borderline high or high range, your doctor may require you to be checked more often to make sure you are heading toward a desirable cholesterol level.
Are home cholesterol levels testing kits available?
Yes. Home cholesterol testing kits are available for checking HDL and total cholesterol levels. It’s important to keep in mind that the accuracy of these testing kits can vary from brand to brand. If you choose to use a home testing kit, follow the directions carefully. If the test results show that you have a high cholesterol level, contact your health care provider. He or she may choose to repeat the test to verify the results and can help coordinate a treatment program to lower your cholesterol level.
Do insurance companies cover cholesterol tests?
Coverage for doctor office-based testing varies depending on your insurance plan. Check with your health insurance carrier to determine if this test is covered.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 2/4/2004
