Is a Cholesterol Test a Good Idea?
When is the last time you had a cholesterol test? If you
haven't you could be one of millions of Americans who may have high
cholesterol and not even know it. Why should this concern you? Because high
cholesterol is a leading risk factor for heart disease, the leading cause of
death by disease in the United States. It is also a risk factor for
conditions that lead to heart disease such as high blood pressure and
coronary artery disease.
For these reasons alone it could be well worth it to get a cholesterol test
done. Don't be like the millions of people who have no idea what their
cholesterol score is. Taking your health for granted is the one thing none
of us can afford to do. The problem with high cholesterol is if it is not
caught early enough the damage is already done when that first twinge of
pain in the chest sends you running to your doctor.
There are in fact people who live a healthy lifestyle that includes a good
diet and plenty of exercise that still suffer from high cholesterol. It
comes as a surprise when they do have a test and they find that have raised
cholesterol levels much like their less healthy neighbors. This just proves
the point that everyone needs to have their cholesterol tested throughout
their life.
You should make it a point that every time you visit the doctor for a
routine check up to get your cholesterol checked along with the other health
screenings they do. Doctors will order a cholesterol test if your blood
pressure seems to be running high, otherwise they may not do a test unless
asked. The test is as easy as having some blood drawn along with any other
blood tests the doctor may order.
If you don't want to visit the doctor to get a cholesterol test there are
home cholesterol test kits available, which allow you run a test whenever
your want. All it takes is one drop of blood which can be gotten with a
finger prick with the included tool. You place the drop of blood on the
testing card and wait to see which color the card changes to, allowing you
to get a good idea of what your cholesterol levels are. If it does come back
high it is important to make a doctors appointment to get a blood serum
cholesterol test done, which is much more accurate.
No matter your current physical condition it is important to have a
cholesterol tests done through out your life. Your health and life could
very well depend on it.
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