Checking cholesterol not only needs to be done by parents, but also person young age. Glifestyle and unhealthy eating patterns causing health problems due to high cholesterol canthreaten who even without age.
A cholesterol test or also known as a lipid profile examination is a medical examination in the form of a blood test to measure the total amount of fatty substances (cholesterol and triglycerides) in the blood. Cholesterol checks are useful for determining whether a person has high cholesterol or not.
Keep in mind, high cholesterol levels can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. now, this cholesterol test is useful for detecting these risks. Because generally high cholesterol does not cause signs or symptoms, you need to check cholesterol levels regularly.
According to data from the Ministry of Health in 2014, coronary heart disease is the highest cause of death after stroke, which is 12.9%. Patients with heart disease and stroke are mostly found in the 45-74 year age group. However, this disease can also occur in people aged 15-24 years.
Cholesterol Check Procedure
Cholesterol checks should be done regularly, ie once every 5 years since the age of 20 years. However, there are several groups of people who are advised to do cholesterol checks more often, including:
- Men 55 years and over and women 65 years and over.
- Have a family history of heart disease.
- Being overweight or obese.
- Have high blood pressure or diabetes.
- Smoking, lack of active exercise, or frequent consumption of unhealthy foods, such as fatty or fried foods.
Cholesterol checks are carried out by taking blood samples, both from finger tips and from blood vessels, for later examination in a clinical laboratory or hospital. This test usually only takes a few minutes.
The doctor will determine whether you should fast or not before doing a cholesterol check, and will inform whether there are other preparations that need to be done. The recommended fasting period is 9-12 hours before the test, and the test is generally done in the morning.
Meaning of Cholesterol Examination Results
A complete cholesterol test includes measurements of 4 types of fat in the blood, namely HDL (good cholesterol), LDL (bad cholesterol), triglycerides, and total cholesterol (total total of types of cholesterol). The ideal cholesterol test results are as follows:
- LDL: less than 130 mg/dL (the lower the amount, the better).
- HDL: more than 60 mg/dL (the higher the number, the better).
- Total cholesterol: less than 200 mg/dL (the lower the amount, the better).
- Triglycerides: less than 150 mg/dL (the lower the amount, the better).
A person is said to have high cholesterol if his LDL cholesterol is more than 190 mg/dL, or his total cholesterol is more than 240 mg/dL.
For the record, each laboratory or health facility where cholesterol checks are carried out may have slightly different values from the normal range of cholesterol test results.
Healthy Tips for Controlling Cholesterol Levels
High cholesterol caused by age and heredity is difficult to control. However, if it is caused by other factors, high cholesterol can be overcome by implementing a healthy lifestyle and medication from a doctor.
Here are some healthy tips to keep your cholesterol levels stable:
Consumption of balanced nutritious food
To reduce cholesterol, eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, foods containing whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and protein-rich foods.
Avoid foods that contain a lot of cholesterol, such as meat, liver, egg yolks, shrimp, and processed dairy products. Also limit the use of salt in daily cooking.
Implement a healthy lifestyle
Try to be active every day or for at least 150 minutes per week. Stop smoking and limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages. You need to know, consuming too many alcoholic beverages can increase blood pressure and triglyceride levels.
Consumption of cholesterol-lowering foods and drinks
A number of cholesterol-lowering foods that are recommended for consumption are whole grains, oatmeal, apples, pears, bananas, and oranges. Vegetables, such as eggplant and okra; and beans, such as chickpeas, kidney beans, and lentils; also good for consumption.
In addition, you can also take cholesterol-lowering supplements that are low in fat and contain beta glucan and inulin, here's the explanation:
- Beta glucan is a type of fiber that is useful for lowering cholesterol levels. This substance is found in whole grains, oatmeal, and seaweed.
- Inulin is a type of water-soluble fiber that is useful in lowering triglyceride levels in the blood.
Take supplements according to the rules and dosages listed on the packaging. If you have certain medical conditions, the use of dietary supplements or cholesterol-lowering drinks should be consulted with your doctor first.
High cholesterol can be prevented and overcome by adopting a healthy lifestyle and diet. If necessary, take medications and cholesterol-lowering supplements, as recommended by your doctor. In addition, don't forget to check your cholesterol regularly to monitor your cholesterol levels, even if there are no symptoms.