What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance that is naturally present in cell walls or membranes everywhere in the body. Your body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones, vitamin D, and the bile acids that help to digest fat. If you have too much cholesterol in your bloodstream, the excess may be deposited in the arteries of the heart, which could lead to heart disease.
What is a cholesterol test?
A cholesterol test is a simple blood test that checks the cholesterol levels in your blood. This test is also called a fasting lipoprotein profile. A fasting lipoprotein profile measures:
A cholesterol test is done to evaluate a person’s risk for heart disease. Government guidelines state that healthy adults who are aged 20 years or older should have a cholesterol test done once every 5 years.
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Tips to keep it under control.
Cholesterol Guidelines
Think you know all there is to know about cholesterol? Learn the cholesterol guidelines: the good, bad, and that other one. See more WebMD Videos »
Cholesterol embolism syndrome should be suspected in a patient who develops worsening renal function, hypertension, distal ischemia, or acute multisystem dysfunction after an invasive arterial procedure.
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