How High Blood Cholesterol Affects Your Health
Having high cholesterol can end up in major health problems if left untreated. It is very important to do everything you can to keep your cholesterol levels at a good level. So, you should get your cholesterol levels checked.
To get your lipid panel (cholesterol test) done, you should visit your doctor or you can conduct it online as well. Your doctor will tell you that you can not eat for 12 hours before the blood test is done. In this test HDL, LDL, and triglycerides will be checked.
Your HDL is usually called 'good cholesterol' because this type of cholesterol prevents artery blockage. This is your LDL level that you need to really stress about. This kind of cholesterol accumulates and creates barriers and blockages in the arteries and blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to other parts of the body.
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Building up of cholesterol in the arteries is called plaque. This creates a narrowing of the arteries. Blood flow to the heart to slow down or sometimes blocked leading to:
heart attack, stroke, cardiac arrhythmia, coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, and angina or chest pain.
Anyone can suffer from high blood cholesterol. Ultimately the patient's background could be a decisive factor. A patient suffering from hypertension, smoking, being overweight or medical history suggests that he may be at risk of heart disease. For them taking a cholesterol test regularly is important to maintain good heart health.