Normal cholesterol ranges vary by age and gender. Understand the differences between fasting and nonfasting tests and how to naturally raise good cholesterol.
More than 1 in 4 adult men in the U.S. suffer from hyperlipidemia, or high cholesterol, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although it's an essential molecule, high cholesterol levels put men at risk for coronary artery disease, heart disease and stroke.
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Raising your high density lipoproteins (HDL), or the good type of cholesterol, should be a lifelong goal of everyone beginning in their teens. It helps to carry away low density lipoproteins (LDL), the bad type of cholesterol, before it has a chance to adhere to the inside of your arteries.
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Pregnancy is a time in which a woman's body changes drastically--not only the outward shape as the developing baby grows, but her internal system as well. Blood volume increases and blood pressure may rise to accommodate the additional fluids. Glucose levels may rise as well.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that most dairy food choices be fat-free or low-fat. When you are baking, you follow this recommendation to lighten up your cake, muffins, cookies or bread.
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The A1c blood test is one of the laboratory tests used to diagnose diabetes and an important measure of average blood sugar levels in someone who has diabetes.
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High cholesterol has various effects on your body, one of which is fatigue. When plaque builds in the walls of your arteries, it leads to conditions such as coronary heart disease, CHD, and coronary microvascular disease, CMD.
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High cholesterol is associated with increased risk for heart disease, the number-one killer of women and men in the United States. Going to your doctor for a routine blood test will help you learn if you have high cholesterol.
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The guidelines for total cholesterol are the same for adults of all ages. Total cholesterol that's less than 200 mg/dL is desirable because it is associated with reduced heart disease risk. At 200 to 239, heart disease risk is borderline high, and anything above 239 mg/dL carries a high risk for heart disease.
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If the laboratory results of your most recent blood work revealed a total cholesterol level of 225 mg/dL, your doctor will probably tell you that 225 is higher than she prefers to see, even though a total cholesterol level of 225 is just 25 points over what doctors consider safe.
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Accurate cholesterol test results are an important factor in determining your risk for heart disease. More than 35 million Americans have cholesterol levels high enough to put them at significant risk for cardiovascular disease.
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The total cholesterol in your blood is not a measure of a single value. The number, on its own, is an incomplete picture of your overall risk of heart disease and other complications.
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A complete cholesterol test is a collection of blood tests that determine the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (a type of fat) in your blood. HDL cholesterol is defined as "good" while LDL is considered "bad." Separate blood tests are required to gauge each type of cholesterol.
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Urine tests commonly measure protein and creatinine to check for the presence of kidney disease or dysfunction. Protein in your urine is abnormal and prompts follow-up testing. If your kidneys do not work properly, your doctor may need to test your urine regularly to monitor kidney function.
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Oxygen is necessary to sustain your life. The normal oxygen levels between women and men do not vary; oxygen is needed equally by both genders. However, the factors that influence your body's ability to take in and carry oxygen may be affected by your gender.
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DHEA sulfate, formally known as dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, is a male sex hormone produced in the adrenal glands of both men and women. Blood levels of the hormone are sometimes measured to gauge adrenal function and health.
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The sugar in regular soda might elevate your triglycerides, one of three types of lipids that comprise your cholesterol levels. The sugar calories in regular soda also could lead to weight gain, which can affect your cholesterol levels.
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Magnesium is both a mineral and an electrolyte. It carries an electrical charge as it transports other electrolytes, potassium and calcium, through your cell membranes. The nutrient serves a wide range of purposes in your body, including regulation of your blood sugar, blood pressure and heart rate.
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Cholesterol is not your body's enemy but rather an asset, aiding in cell formation and hormone production. Your liver produces the exact amount your body requires; any excess amounts come from the foods you eat and lack of physical activity, as FamilyDoctor.org explains.
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Cholesterol serves many important functions in your body, but too much is dangerous. Elevated cholesterol increases your risk for heart disease because it contributes to atherosclerosis, a disease in which fatty masses called plaques form inside arteries.
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Keeping track of your cholesterol levels can be an important tool in maintaining good health. The American Heart Association recommends that all adults 20 years and older should have their cholesterol levels checked every five years.
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