High cholesterol develops without any signs or symptoms. High cholesterol receives its “silent killer” name because it rarely displays any symptoms.  

High cholesterol functions as a key hazard that puts people at risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Your body contains the waxy substance called cholesterol along with blood. The human body needs cholesterol for cell construction yet excessive cholesterol leads to dangerous plaque formation inside arteries. Plaque consists of cholesterol together with fat alongside various other substances. The progression of plaque formation into hardened deposits causes your arteries to become narrow which impedes blood flow through them. The rupture of plaque leads to blood clots which block artery flow even more. The blockade of blood flow by cholesterol deposits in your arteries can trigger a heart attack or stroke.

A blood test remains the sole method to confirm high cholesterol levels. A lipid panel or lipid profile serves as a testing method to determine multiple types of cholesterol levels in blood samples.  

Cholesterol levels eligibility

• The cholesterol test interval for people in good health should be between 4 to 6 years.  
• Medical professionals should do so more frequently if they possess risk elements including family heart conditions and excessive weight coupled with smoking habits and conditions like diabetes or hypertension.  
• Medical professionals should test the cholesterol levels of adolescents together with children when one of their family members has heart disease background and high cholesterol.    

During the cholesterol test patients need to expect:

 Blood is obtained through an arm vein using a simple procedure.  

The results demand a fasting period between 9-12 hours which prohibits any food consumption except water during this period.  

Testing for high cholesterol should be routine because the condition presents without symptoms. The early discovery and appropriate treatment of health conditions will lower your chances of heart disease and stroke substantially.  

Cholesterol in the human body exist in two main types:

• LDL cholesterol exists in the human body as the dangerous cholesterol type. Your chances of getting cardiovascular disease increase as LDL cholesterol amounts rise in your bloodstream.  
• The beneficial cholesterol substance in a person’s body exists in the form of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). A higher level of HDL cholesterol in your system decreases your chances of developing cardiovascular disease.

Both decreasing LDL cholesterol with simultaneous elevation of HDL cholesterol leads to decreased CVD risks. You can do this by:  

• The recommended diet includes reduced amounts of saturated fat as well as cholesterol together with sodium and trans-fat. Make fresh produce and whole grain items together with various types of fruits your initial food choices during each day.  
• Adults should participate in minimum 30 minutes each day in moderate intensity physical workout programs across most weekdays.
• People who are obese must actively control their weight because decreasing weight leads to positive changes in cholesterol measurements.  
• Professional authorities consider smoking habits a leading risk factor because both smoking conditions degrade blood vessel health and escalate your risk for CVD.  
• High amounts of stress cause your body to show increased cholesterol levels. Controlling your stress may be achieved through meditation and yoga practice or meaningful time spent with loved ones.  

Conclusion

Regular cholesterol testing is a necessity for you. All adults above 20 years need cholesterol testing through programs specified by the National Cholesterol Education Program starting at 4–6-year intervals. Cholesterol tests must be conducted at regular intervals by people who carry risk factors for CVD especially those with heart disease, smoking behavior together with high blood pressure and diabetes in their family history.