If you’ve ever been to the doctor, chances are you’ve had your cholesterol checked during routine blood work. But, what exactly is cholesterol, and how does it affect the body?

What is cholesterol?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes cholesterol as a “waxy fat-like substance” made by the liver that is found in every cell of the body. The body makes all the cholesterol it needs but takes in additional cholesterol from food.

Cholesterol circulates in the blood by attaching to proteins called lipoproteins. There are two types of lipoproteins — low-density lipoprotein (LDL), known as “bad” cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), known as “good” cholesterol.

Though people often think of cholesterol as something that is “bad,” the body actually needs it for good health. Cholesterol has several important jobs, including making cell membranes, Vitamin D and many hormones. Another important job HDL cholesterol has is to absorb the bad cholesterol, send it to the liver, and then flush it out of the body.

Why be concerned about cholesterol?

Problems arise when there is too much LDL cholesterol in the body, and it begins to build up in the arteries. This buildup, referred to as “plaque” or “fatty deposits” increases the risk of heart attacks, heart disease, and stroke, because arteries leading to these vital organs narrow and harden over time from buildup, blocking or limiting the flow of blood and oxygen. 

How do I check my cholesterol?

High cholesterol typically doesn’t have any signs or symptoms, so a routine blood test, called a lipid panel, is the best way to measure the overall cholesterol in the body. This routine blood work is done after fasting for nine to 11 hours. 

Testing for cholesterol can start as early as age nine and then be repeated every five years, according to The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). 

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends the test at least every four to six years starting at age 20, if your overall risk of heart disease is low. For men ages 45 to 65 and for women ages 55 to 65, the NHLBI recommends cholesterol screenings every one to two years. People over 65 should receive cholesterol tests annually, and those with a family history of high cholesterol, stroke and heart attack, or who smoke, are obese or have diabetes may need more frequent testing.

The best thing to do is talk with your online or in-person doctor about what’s right for you.

What are good cholesterol numbers?

According to the CDC, cholesterol is considered high when total cholesterol is above 200 mg/dl. This chart from the CDC offers a snapshot of “optimal” cholesterol levels.

Optimal Cholesterol Levels

Credit:  https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000625

Concerned about cholesterol or need to have it checked? Consult with a HealthTap primary care doctor online and get the help you need.