Have you had your cholesterol checked? Let's talk about the Lipid Panel (cholesterol) test!

Many people get a little scared when they hear the word "cholesterol," don't they? There are many of us who worry, "Oh, my cholesterol is high." But what exactly is cholesterol? Is it really bad for our bodies? To be honest, cholesterol is a type of fat that is essential for the cells in our body. However, like anything, if it gets too high, it can cause problems.

Simply put, there are 'good' and 'bad' types of cholesterol. When the levels of bad cholesterol, or LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) , increase, they start to stick to the walls of our blood vessels. Over time, this causes fat to build up inside the blood vessels and narrow them. We medically call this Atherosclerosis . When the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed like this, the risk of a blood clot suddenly blocking them and causing a heart attack is very high.

Another thing to consider along with cholesterol is triglycerides . This is also a type of fat in our bodies. Increased levels of these also increase the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. This risk is especially high if your good cholesterol, or HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) , is low. Also, high triglyceride levels increase the risk of developing diabetes.

What is a cholesterol test (Lipid Panel)?

A simple blood test to find out about the cholesterol and other fats (lipids) in your body is called a Lipid Panel or Lipid Profile .

Doctors usually recommend fasting for 9-12 hours before the test. This is because the food you eat can change the results. However, fasting is not always necessary. If you are under 25 years old, or if your doctor does not want a full lipid panel, fasting may not be necessary. It is best to talk to your doctor to find out for sure.

A typical Lipid Panel report contains information about four main things:

• Total Cholesterol
• LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) - This is what we call "bad cholesterol."
• HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) - We call this "good cholesterol."
• Triglycerides - The most common type of fat in our body.

How do you understand the values ​​in your report?

Okay, now you've taken the test and have the report in hand. Now what do these numbers mean? Let's see.

What can we do to control cholesterol levels?

Don't worry if your results are a little high. This condition can be best controlled by making lifestyle changes and taking medication as prescribed by your doctor, if necessary.

Lifestyle changes

This is the first and most important step.

• A good diet: A cholesterol-lowering diet can reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) by about 30%.
• Limit foods high in saturated fat (such as fatty meats, coconut oil, palm oil, butter, cheese).
• Avoid trans fats completely. Check the labels of baked goods, margarine, and packaged foods for "partially hydrogenated oils." If so, they contain trans fats.
• Even if the label says "low cholesterol" or "no cholesterol," those foods may still be high in sugar or saturated fat. So always read food labels carefully.
• Include foods rich in fiber (brown rice, oats, vegetables, fruits) and foods containing plant sterols (specific margarines) in your diet.

• Exercise: Engaging in exercise such as walking, running, or cycling for at least 30 minutes daily reduces bad cholesterol (LDL) and increases good cholesterol (HDL).

• Avoid smoking: If you are a smoker, quitting is very important for controlling cholesterol levels and for your overall health.

If necessary, the medications prescribed by the doctor

If lifestyle changes alone don't control your levels, your doctor may prescribe medication.

• Statins: These are the most commonly used and most effective cholesterol-lowering drugs. Examples include Atorvastatin (Lipitor), Rosuvastatin (Crestor), and Simvastatin (Zocor).
• Other medications: Other medications such as Fibrates, Ezetimibe (Zetia), and PCSK9 inhibitors may be prescribed by the doctor depending on the patient's condition.

Not just cholesterol, these things are also important!

The values ​​on your cholesterol report alone don't determine your future health. Remember, many other things affect your risk of heart disease, such as diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, lack of exercise, and genetic influences .

People with normal cholesterol levels can also develop heart disease. And people with high cholesterol levels can have healthy hearts. But overall, people with abnormal cholesterol levels are more likely to develop heart disease.

Therefore, experts recommend that adults who are not at risk have their cholesterol checked at least every 5 years . However, if your cholesterol levels are high or you have other heart disease risk factors, your doctor will tell you how often you should be checked again.