A normal person makes cholesterol in their body every day. Many parts of the body depend on cholesterol for their proper function. However, if the body makes too much cholesterol, it can build up in places where it is harmful. One place where cholesterol causes trouble is in the walls of blood vessels. Too much cholesterol built up in the walls of a blood vessel can make the vessel brittle or can block the flow of blood.

We know that treating high levels of cholesterol can lower the risk of heart attack. This is even true for persons who have already had a heart attack. The only way to know if there is too much cholesterol in the body is by taking a blood test.

Usually a cholesterol test is done after a person has not eaten for several hours, often overnight. The test measures the way the body carries cholesterol in the blood. One way, the LDL cholesterol, seems to be associated with heart disease. The more of this chemical in the blood, the higher is the risk of heart trouble. The other way is HDL cholesterol. This is the "good" cholesterol. The more HDL cholesterol a person has, the lower their chances of heart disease. By measuring both of these types of cholesterol, your healthcare provider can advise the right course for you.

How often should you have a cholesterol test? The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends periodic testing for all men ages 35 to 65 and all women ages 45 to 65. If your cholesterol is normal, it will not change very much unless something else, such as your weight or health, also changes. Medical opinions are divided on whether younger persons should be tested. If there is a family problem that causes concern, then cholesterol should be checked at a younger age. If your LDL cholesterol is high, you should see your caregiver about treatment. Treatment depends on how high your LDL cholesterol is and what other risks for heart disease you have. After treatment starts, you should recheck the cholesterol to see if it has improved with therapy.

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