Hypercholesterolemia Diagnosis

Hypercholesterolemia Diagnosis

Blood cholesterol levels are measured by a blood test taken early in the morning after nine to twelve hours of fasting. The doctor will ask the patient about a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease as well as drawing the blood, since high cholesterol levels can be hereditary.

The blood cholesterol test measures total blood cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels using units called milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

• Total cholesterol: Less than 200 mg/dL is a desirable level that lowers a person’s risk for heart disease. A cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL or greater increases the risk. A level of 240 mg/dL and above is considered high blood cholesterol. The risk of heart dis- ease at this level is twice that of a person whose total cholesterol level is 200 mg/dL.

• LDL: Less than 100 mg/dL is considered the best level; a level of 100–129 mg/dL is good; a level of 130–159 mg/dL is borderline high; a level of 160–189 mg/dL is high; and a level of 190 mg/ dL and above is very high.

• HDL: A level below 40 mg/dL is considered a major risk factor for heart disease; a level between 40 and 59 mg/dL is better; and a level above 60 mg/dL is considered protective against heart disease.

• Triglycerides: Less than 150 mg/dL is normal; a level of 150–199 mg/dL is borderline high; a level of 200–499 mg/dL is high; and a level of 500 mg/dL or above is very high.