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Whenever anyone has a problem with high cholesterol, they are at risk for a heart attack. But, how can you know whether you are at risk or not? It is as easy as taking a simple blood test.

Anyone who is over the age of twenty should have their cholesterol checked at least once every five years. The blood test will show four things:

1. Total Cholesterol – Your total cholesterol is the amount of all cholesterol in your blood. The higher the number, the greater your risk is for a heart attack. Very often, if your number is too high, your doctor will instruct you to do what you can to bring the number to a lower level.
2. LDL Cholesterol- LDL cholesterol is the type of cholesterol that will block your arties. It is often known by the terms bad or lousy to help people remember if this number is high, the risk of a heart attack is also high.
3. HDL Cholesterol – HDL is the good kind of cholesterol as it helps prevent build-up in the arteries thereby helping to prevent heart attacks. Some people remember that HDL is the good kind by associating H with happy. If you have a high HDL you should be happy.
4. Triglycerides – Triglycerides are a form of fat that is carried through the blood stream. Quite often, if your triglycerides are high your total cholesterol and LDL is high, and your HDL is low. Your doctor will probably want you to reduce this number in order to help prevent a heart attack.

If your numbers are on the high side for total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides, your doctor will want you to take steps to adjust your lifestyle to bring those numbers down, and your HDL levels up.

Through simple lifestyle changes including diet and exercise, and possibly drugs, you can bring your cholesterol levels into proper alignment so that you are not at risk for a heart attack.

If you believe you might be at risk, check with your doctor and have a simple blood test. That one blood test, and your reaction to it if the numbers are not where you and your doctor would like them to be, could very well save your life.

Related Posts:

• August 24, 2009 -- How to Manage High Cholesterol
• August 23, 2009 -- 3 Steps Toward Managing Your Cholesterol
• September 19, 2009 -- Heart Attack Symptoms For Women Often Differ From Men
• September 15, 2009 -- DASH Your Way to Lower Blood Pressure, Part 1
• September 5, 2009 -- Middle Age Memory Problems Linked to High Blood Pressure