Cholesterol is a fat-like waxy substance that is produced in the liver and found in some specific foods like eggs, dairy products, and meat. The body needs some amount of cholesterol to work properly.

However, too much cholesterol in the blood can increase the risk of developing heart issues. Some many things and causes may result in high blood cholesterol levels. So, to find out the level of cholesterol in your blood, you should go for a blood cholesterol test.

High cholesterol can develop fatty deposits in his/her blood vessels. So, when those deposits grow, it becomes difficult for the blood to flow smoothly through the arteries. Sometimes, those deposits can even break and form a clot, eventually leading to stroke or heart attack.

Symptoms of high cholesterol

Usually, high cholesterol does not have any symptoms. Thus, a blood test can be done to find out the cholesterol level within the body.

According to medical experts, cholesterol tests or screenings need to be done at a regular interval of one or two years in men after the age of 45 and women after 55. Your doctor may suggest a more frequent cholesterol test if you have a family history of high blood cholesterol.

Risks factors for high cholesterol

Some factors can increase the risk of high cholesterol levels in the blood. Some of those are:

Obesity

If you have a BMI or Body mass index of 30 or more, you may be at risk of having high blood cholesterol. To confirm this, you need to go through a cholesterol test after knowing the cholesterol test price.

Improper diet

Eating excessive amounts of trans fats or saturated fat can lead to unhealthy cholesterol levels. Saturated fats can be found in full-fat dairy products or fatty parts of meat. In contrast, trans fats can be found in packaged desserts or snacks.

Smoking

Smoking cigarettes can lower your level of “good” cholesterol or HDL, leading to high blood cholesterol.

Lack of exercise

Exercise helps in boosting the HDL or “good cholesterol of the body.

Alcohol consumption

Consuming too much alcohol can increase the total cholesterol level of your blood.

Age

Though young children may have unhealthy cholesterol in their blood, this ailment is still much more common in people over 40 and because of your age, your liver cannot eradicate LDL cholesterol.

Gender

After menopause, the LDL cholesterol of a woman increases and eventually increases the chances of heart issues.

Family history

Your risk of high blood cholesterol may increase if your parents or other family members have early heart issues or high cholesterol. One can even have a genetic condition known as FH or Familial hypercholesterolemia, in which high LDL levels start at a young age.

Causes of blood cholesterol

Cholesterol goes through our blood while being attached to proteins. This combination of cholesterol and protein is known as lipoprotein. According to what lipoprotein carries, the different types of cholesterol are:

HDL or High-density lipoprotein

This “good” part of cholesterol collects the extra cholesterol and sends it back to the liver.

LDL or Low-density lipoprotein

This is the “bad” cholesterol that transports the cholesterol particles throughout our bodies. LDL cholesterol is stored in the artery walls, making them narrow and hard.

Therefore, you should choose a diet and lifestyle that can increase the HDL of your blood. However, if you wish to know the blood cholesterol level of your body, you should go through a cholesterol test at a regular interval.