Learn more about cholesterol

VARIOUS physical and lifestyle factors can increase the likelihood of developing high blood cholesterol. Being aware of the risk factors helps to identify the changes necessary to lower the risk.

Some of these risk factors include:

Eating too much saturated fat. Medical conditions such as an underactive thyroid gland or chronic kidney failure.

Family history: If a parent or grandparent had high cholesterol, this trait can be inherited. Some people have naturally high blood cholesterol levels, due to a rare hereditary condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH). If one family member is diagnosed with FH, it is important that all members of the family have a full fasting lipogram done to test if they also have FH. Physical inactivity.

Being overweight or obese, especially around the middle. Being overweight increases the chances of abnormal cholesterol levels. People with type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome often have low HDL cholesterol levels and elevated triglyceride levels.

Drinking too much alcohol. Smoking and tobacco use.

What should my cholesterol reading be?

Total cholesterol less than 5 mmol/L. LDL cholesterol level less than 3 mmol/L.

HDL cholesterol levels more than 1.2 mmol/L for women or 1.0 mmol/L for men.

Fasting triglyceride levels less than 1.7 mmol/L.

How often should cholesterol be tested?

All adults should have a fasting lipogram at least once in young adulthood (from age 20). If your cholesterol levels are normal, the test should be repeated again in a few years. People with diabetes, kidney disease or who are overweight should have their cholesterol levels monitored frequently by their doctor.

If “bad” cholesterol levels are high or someone is at a high risk of heart disease, cholesterol levels should be checked every six months. Children don’t need to have their levels tested unless they have a family history.

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