what term in the report indicates that the patient has high levels of cholesterol?

by Dr. Jordon Marvin 3 min read

Understanding Your Cholesterol Report - WebMD

18 hours ago But in general, LDL results are as follows: Optimal: Less than 100 mg/dL. Near optimal: 100-129 mg/dL. Borderline high: 130-159 mg/dL. High: 160-189 … >> Go To The Portal


High blood cholesterol levels. The medical term for high blood cholesterol is lipid disorder, hyperlipidemia, or hypercholesterolemia.

Full Answer

What is the medical term for high cholesterol?

The medical term for high blood cholesterol is lipid disorder, hyperlipidemia, or hypercholesterolemia. There are many types of cholesterol. The ones talked about most are: For many people, abnormal cholesterol levels are partly due to an unhealthy lifestyle. This often includes eating a diet that is high in fat.

What questions should I ask my doctor about high cholesterol?

For high cholesterol, some basic questions to ask your doctor include: 1 What tests do I need? 2 What's the best treatment? 3 How often do I need a cholesterol test? 4 Are there brochures or other printed material that I can have? What websites do you recommend?

What are the tests for high cholesterol levels?

High blood cholesterol levels - If your cholesterol results are abnormal, you may also have other tests such as 1 Blood sugar (glucose) test to look for diabetes. 2 Kidney function tests. 3 Thyroid function tests to look for an underactive thyroid gland.

What are the facts about high cholesterol?

High Cholesterol Facts 1 High Cholesterol in the United States. 2 High Total Cholesterol Levels Vary by Race, Ethnicity, and Sex. 3 Americans Are Making Progress on High Cholesterol. 4 More Information. 5 References.

What is the medical term for high cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fat (also called a lipid) that your body needs to work properly. Too much bad cholesterol can increase your chance of getting heart disease, stroke, and other problems. The medical term for high blood cholesterol is lipid disorder, hyperlipidemia, or hypercholesterolemia.

What are readings that indicate high cholesterol?

High risk: 240 mg/dL and above. Borderline high risk: 200-239 mg/dL. Desirable: Less than 200 mg/dL.

Is HDL a cholesterol?

HDL (high-density lipoprotein), or “good” cholesterol, absorbs cholesterol and carries it back to the liver. The liver then flushes it from the body. High levels of HDL cholesterol can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.

How is cholesterol listed on lab report?

Lipid panel = cholesterol. Your doctor will order a lipid panel to get a picture of your cholesterol. Cholesterol is broken up into “good” (HDL) and “bad” (LDL). When LDL or “bad” cholesterol builds up in your arteries it can slow your blood flow, potentially leading to a heart attack or stroke.

What is a LDL cholesterol level?

What should my LDL level be?LDL (Bad) Cholesterol LevelLDL Cholesterol CategoryLess than 100mg/dLOptimal100-129mg/dLNear optimal/above optimal130-159 mg/dLBorderline high160-189 mg/dLHigh1 more row•Oct 2, 2020

What level is high cholesterol?

The borderline high range is 170–199 mg/dl, and a reading of 200 mg/dl or over is high. LDL cholesterol levels should be under 110 mg/dl. The borderline high range is 110–129 mg/dl, and any reading over 130 mg/dl is high.

What does HDL and LDL stand for?

HDL stands for high-density lipoproteins. It is sometimes called the "good" cholesterol because it carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver. Your liver then removes the cholesterol from your body. LDL stands for low-density lipoproteins.

Are LDL and HDL cholesterol?

This is why LDL cholesterol is often referred to as "bad" cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol. HDL cholesterol is often referred to as "good" cholesterol. HDL picks up excess cholesterol in your blood and takes it back to your liver where it's broken down and removed from your body.

Which is best LDL or HDL?

As a general rule, HDL is considered “good” cholesterol, while LDL is considered “bad.” This is because HDL carries cholesterol to your liver, where it can be removed from your bloodstream before it builds up in your arteries.

Is cholesterol on a CBC?

Our Standard Health Test Panel is combination of lab tests and includes our Basic Health Test Panel, our Thyroid Panel with TSH, and our Complete Blood Count (CBC). Together these test panels measure and evaluate the body as a whole and include a cholesterol breakdown.

What is a HDL blood test?

An HDL cholesterol test measures the amount of high-density lipoprotein ("good") cholesterol in your blood. High HDL levels may lower your risk for heart disease.

What are the two types of cholesterol?

Cholesterol travels through the blood on proteins called “lipoproteins.” Two types of lipoproteins carry cholesterol throughout the body: 1 LDL (low-density lipoprotein), sometimes called “bad” cholesterol, makes up most of your body’s cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol raise your risk for heart disease and stroke. 2 HDL (high-density lipoprotein), or “good” cholesterol, absorbs cholesterol and carries it back to the liver. The liver then flushes it from the body. High levels of HDL cholesterol can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.

What to do if you have high LDL cholesterol?

If you have high LDL cholesterol levels, your health care team may recommend cholesterol-lowering medicine and lifestyle changes to lower your risk for heart disease and stroke. If you have low HDL cholesterol levels, talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes that may help raise your levels.

What is the difference between HDL and LDL?

LDL (low-density lipoprotein), sometimes called “bad” cholesterol, makes up most of your body’s cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol raise your risk for heart disease and stroke. HDL (high-density lipoprotein), or “good” cholesterol, absorbs cholesterol and carries it back to the liver. The liver then flushes it from the body.

What happens when you have too much LDL?

When your body has too much LDL cholesterol, the LDL cholesterol can build up on the walls of your blood vessels. This buildup is called “plaque.”. As your blood vessels build up plaque over time, the insides of the vessels narrow. This narrowing blocks blood flow to and from your heart and other organs. When blood flow to the heart is blocked, it ...

Why is LDL high?

The LDL level is high and should be reported to the prescriber because a high level increases the patient's risk for atherosclerosis. A patient has been prescribed an antihyperlipidemic drug.

What are the symptoms of atorvastatin?

Signs and symptoms include general muscle soreness, muscle pain, and weakness. The drug should be held and the prescriber notified. The patient will need to be prescribed another antihyperlipidemic drug. A patient prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor) reports experiencing some muscle pain and weakness.

How do bile acid sequestrants work?

Bile acid sequestrants help the body lose cholesterol. The drugs are taken by mouth and work directly on dietary fats in the intestine. They bind with cholesterol in the intestine, preventing the fats from being absorbed into the blood. This action then eliminates the cholesterol from the body through the stool.

Does cholesterol cause plaque in the blood?

However, your body needs only a small amount of cholesterol; too much cholesterol in the bloodstream can deposit in the walls of blood vessels forming plaque that contributes to the development of narrowed arteries such as atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.

Is it correct to tell a patient that intake and output measurements are important?

Telling the patient that intake and output measurement is an important assessment of kidney function is essentially correct, but it does not fully address the patient's question. A patient who has been prescribed lovastatin (Mevacor) asks why all urine must be saved for intake and output measurements.

Is it correct to tell a patient that a drug is definitely required?

Telling the patient that a drug is definitely required may be correct in this case, but it does not address the patient's question. A patient with high blood lipids asks why the lipid profile did not improve after 3 months following a low-fat diet.

Can statins help with hyperlipidemia?

Statin drugs can help control LDL cholesterol levels but do not cure hyperlipidemia. For some people, lifestyle changes and reduced intake of cholesterol and saturated fats can lower cholesterol levels; however, no one is considered cured of hyperlipidemia based on a single test of blood cholesterol level.

How many people have high cholesterol?

Nearly 29 million adult Americans have total cholesterol levels higher than 240 mg/dL.3. 7% of U.S. children and adolescents ages 6 to 19 have high total cholesterol.3. High cholesterol has no symptoms, so many people don’t know that their cholesterol is too high.

What is the risk of high cholesterol?

A simple blood test can check cholesterol levels. Having high blood cholesterol raises the risk for heart disease, the leading cause of death, and for stroke, the fifth leading cause of death. Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

How to prevent high cholesterol?

To help prevent high cholesterol, you can: Eat a low-salt diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Limit the amount of animal fats and use good fats in moderation. Lose extra pounds and maintain a healthy weight. Quit smoking.

How often should I check my cholesterol?

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), a person's first cholesterol screening should occur between the ages of 9 and 11, and then be repeated every five years after that.

What is the difference between HDL and LDL?

LDL , the "bad" cholesterol, transports cholesterol particles throughout your body. LDL cholesterol builds up in the walls of your arteries, making them hard and narrow. High-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL, the "good" cholesterol, picks up excess cholesterol and takes it back to your liver.

What is the combination of proteins and cholesterol called?

Cholesterol is carried through your blood, attached to proteins. This combination of proteins and cholesterol is called a lipoprotein. There are different types of cholesterol, based on what the lipoprotein carries. They are:

What happens if you have too much cholesterol?

If you have too many cholesterol particles in your blood, cholesterol may accumulate on your artery walls. Eventually, deposits called plaques may form. The deposits may narrow — or block — your arteries. These plaques can also burst, causing a blood clot to form. High cholesterol can cause a dangerous accumulation of cholesterol ...

What are the health risks of eating too much saturated fat?

Eating too much saturated fat or trans fats can result in unhealthy cholesterol levels. Saturated fats are found in fatty cuts of meat and full-fat dairy products. Trans fats are often found in packaged snacks or desserts. Obesity. Having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater puts you at risk of high cholesterol. Lack of exercise.

What is the waxy substance found in the blood?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in your blood. Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. With high cholesterol, you can develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels.

How to treat high cholesterol?

Treatment. Lifestyle changes such as exercising and eating a healthy diet are the first line of defense against high cholesterol. But, if you've made these important lifestyle changes and your cholesterol levels remain high, your doctor might recommend medication.

How is cholesterol measured?

In the United States, cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood. In Canada and many European countries, cholesterol levels are measured in millimoles per liter (mmol/L). To interpret your test results, use these general guidelines.

What is the best treatment for high cholesterol in children?

Diet and exercise are the best initial treatment for children age 2 and older who have high cholesterol or who are obese. Children age 10 and older who have extremely high cholesterol levels might be prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as statins.

How old do you have to be to get a cholesterol test?

For most children, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommends one cholesterol screening test between the ages of 9 and 11, and another cholesterol screening test between the ages of 17 and 21.

What are the side effects of statins?

The common side effects of statins are muscle pains and muscle damage, reversible memory loss and confusion, and elevated blood sugar. If you decide to take cholesterol medication, your doctor might recommend liver function tests to monitor the medication's effect on your liver.

What is the best medicine for high triglycerides?

If you also have high triglycerides, your doctor might prescribe: Fibrates. The medications fenofibrate (TriCor, Fenoglide, others) and gemfibrozil (Lopid) reduce your liver's production of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol and speed the removal of triglycerides from your blood.

What medications lower cholesterol?

The medications cholestyramine (Prevalite), colesevelam (Welchol) and colestipol (Colestid) lower cholesterol indirectly by binding to bile acids. This prompts your liver to use excess cholesterol to make more bile acids, which reduces the level of cholesterol in your blood. Cholesterol absorption inhibitors.

What is the best test for cholesterol?

Triglycerides: 10 to 150 mg/dL (lower numbers are better) If your cholesterol results are abnormal, you may also have other tests such as: Blood sugar (glucose) test to look for diabetes. Kidney function tests. Thyroid function tests to look for an underactive thyroid gland. Treatment.

What causes high cholesterol?

For many people, abnormal cholesterol levels are partly due to an unhealthy lifestyle. This often includes eating a diet that is high in fat. Other lifestyle factors are: 1 Being overweight 2 Lack of exercise

What is the best LDL cholesterol level?

If your LDL cholesterol is 190 mg/dL or higher. Almost everyone else may get health benefits from LDL cholesterol that is lower than 160 to 190 mg/dL. There are several types of drugs to help lower blood cholesterol levels. The drugs work in different ways.

What causes high cholesterol levels in women?

Pregnancy and other conditions that increase levels of female hormones. Underactive thyroid gland. Medicines such as certain birth control pills, diuretics (water pills), beta-blockers, and some medicines used to treat depression may also raise cholesterol levels.

How old do you have to be to get a cholesterol test?

Different experts recommend different starting ages for adults. Recommended starting ages are between 20 to 35 for men and 20 to 45 for women. Adults with normal cholesterol levels do not need to have the test repeated for 5 years.

How to lower cholesterol and prevent heart attack?

Steps you can take to improve your cholesterol levels and to help prevent heart disease and a heart attack include: Quit smoking. This is the single biggest change you can make to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Eat foods that are naturally low in fat. These include whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Why do you need to repeat cholesterol test?

Adults with a history of elevated cholesterol, diabetes, kidney problems, heart disease, and other conditions require more frequent testing. It is important to work with your health care provider to set your cholesterol goals.