 Cholesterol
is a fat that exists in the body's bloodstream. It builds cell
walls, protects nerve fibres and makes hormones. Some of it
comes from the food we eat, including meat, chicken, fish and
dairy products. A healthy daily intake of cholesterol is about
the amount found in a single egg. Most of us take in more than
that, which is where problems can begin.
When cholesterol moves through our blood, it joins up with
proteins to make lipoproteins. "Bad" cholesterol or low-density
lipoproteins (LDL) can build up on the walls of blood vessels,
where they block and damage arteries. This can eventually cause
heart disease and stroke. But there's also "good cholesterol"
or high-density lipoproteins (HDL) which clear away the dangerous
type of fat. Although LDL is the one to worry about, getting
accurate readings of both kinds is essential. High bad cholesterol
levels and low good cholesterol levels mean you could be at
risk of heart disease. Luckily, bad cholesterol can be reduced
by watching what you eat or taking medication. Research shows
that for every percentage point you lower the bad cholesterol,
there's 2% less chance of getting heart disease.
You can now keep an eye on your battle with cholesterol by
using a home testing kit. A single pinprick of blood is used
to test total cholesterol levels. It's accurate and measures
your level against three ranges for a healthy adult:
- Normal: below 5.2 mmol/L
- Borderline: between 5.2 to 6.2 mmol/L
- High: above 6.2 mmol/L
You can use the test anytime, except if you've had flu or some
other minor health problem within the last month. And if you've
had major surgery or a heart attack within the last three months,
the test won't work. Contact your doctor if you're concerned
about your results.
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