Here are the healthy levels of cholesterol, based on your age and gender:. Triglycerides are not a type of cholesterol, but they are part of a lipoprotein panel the test that measures cholesterol levels. When and how often you should get a cholesterol test depends on your age, risk factors, and family history. The general recommendations are:. A variety of things can affect cholesterol levels. These are some things you can do to lower your cholesterol levels:.
There are two main ways to lower your cholesterol :. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. What is cholesterol? How do you measure cholesterol levels? The test gives information about your Total cholesterol - a measure of the total amount of cholesterol in your blood. Triglycerides - another form of fat in your blood that can raise your risk for heart disease, especially in women What do my cholesterol numbers mean?
How often should I get a cholesterol test? The general recommendations are: For people who are age 19 or younger: The first test should be between ages 9 to 11 Children should have the test again every 5 years Some children may have this test starting at age 2 if there is a family history of high blood cholesterol, heart attack, or stroke For people who are age 20 or older: Younger adults should have the test every 5 years Men ages 45 to 65 and women ages 55 to 65 should have it every 1 to 2 years What affects my cholesterol levels?
These are some things you can do to lower your cholesterol levels: Diet. Saturated fat and cholesterol in the food you eat make your blood cholesterol level rise. Saturated fat is the main problem, but cholesterol in foods also matters. Reducing the amount of saturated fat in your diet helps lower your blood cholesterol level. Foods that have high levels of saturated fats include some meats, dairy products, chocolate, baked goods, and deep-fried and processed foods.
Being overweight is a risk factor for heart disease. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood is collected into a vial or syringe. The band is then removed to restore circulation, and blood continues to flow into the vial. Once enough blood is collected, the needle is removed and the puncture site is covered with a bandage. There are no precautions you need to take after your cholesterol test. You should be able to drive yourself home and do all your normal activities.
If you've been fasting, you might want to bring a snack to eat after your cholesterol test is done. In the United States, cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams mg of cholesterol per deciliter dL of blood.
To interpret your test results, use these general guidelines. These conversions are based on U. If your results show that your cholesterol level is high, don't get discouraged. You might be able to lower your cholesterol with lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, exercising and eating a healthy diet. If lifestyle changes aren't enough, cholesterol-lowering medications also might help. Talk to your doctor about the best way for you to lower your cholesterol. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.
Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview A complete cholesterol test — also called a lipid panel or lipid profile — is a blood test that can measure the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Doctors recommend taking steps earlier in life to prevent dangerously high levels of cholesterol developing as a person ages.
Years of unmanaged cholesterol can be much trickier to treat. Children are least likely to have high levels of cholesterol and only need to have their levels checked once or twice before they are 18 years old. However, if the child has risk factors for higher levels of cholesterol, they should get monitored more frequently. Typically, men tend to have higher levels of cholesterol throughout life than women. Variation of recommended levels tends to change due to other health conditions and considerations.
By comparison, acceptable levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in children are different. The best recommendation for children and adolescents to keep cholesterol levels in check is living a healthful, active lifestyle. This includes eating a healthful diet and getting plenty of exercise. Sedentary, overweight children who eat a diet high in processed foods are most likely to have high cholesterol.
Children who have a family history of high cholesterol may also be at risk. Generally, the earlier an adult starts living a healthful lifestyle, the better for their cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol levels build over time. A sudden change in lifestyle will help eventually, but the older a person is, the less impact they will see in cholesterol levels. All adults should stay active and maintain regular exercise routines. Women going through menopause and adults with high levels of cholesterol may want to consider medication that will help reduce cholesterol levels more rapidly than diet alone.
High cholesterol at any age puts a person at risk for heart disease, heart attack, and strokes. These risks only increase over time, especially for adults who are not taking action to reduce their cholesterol buildup. Children should see a doctor for cholesterol checks once or twice before the age of 18 but not during puberty. If the child comes from a family that has a history of heart disease or is overweight or has other health conditions, the recommendation may change.
Adults over the age of 20 should see a doctor every 4 to 6 years. For adults without any health issues, this is generally enough. There are methods people can use to reduce cholesterol levels and prevent them from increasing.
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