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LDL and HDL along with Lp(a) and triglycerides are the components which make up your cholesterol count and a blood test   will determine what levels are present in your body.

Testing is done to evaluate your risk for heart disease. If cholesterol levels become too high you have an increased chance of suffering a heart attack or angina.

If you have high cholesterol, a second test is done usually three months later after changes are made to reduce cholesterol levels including starting an exercise program, improving your diet by increasing omega 3 oils and soluble fibre (vegetables, grains and fruit) and sometimes medication.

The National Heart Foundation recommends all adults over 45 have blood tests for cholesterol every few years.

Know Your Cholesterol Numbers

It’s important to know your cholesterol levels and the numbers you need to stay healthy.

A normal level of cholesterol will mean:

• Total cholesterol is 5.5 millimoles per litre (5.5mmol/L and below). Most people are somewhere between 4 and 5.5. If you are young and healthy and have no risk factors, a reading a little above 5.5 is OK. But levels 6.5mmol/L and over are extremely high.
• HDL (good) cholesterol is 1.0mmol/L and above
• LDL (bad) cholesterol is below 3.5mmol/L but if you already have heart disease and a high risk of coronary disease then the target is 2.0mmol/L
• LDL to HDL ratio is less than 4
• Triglycerides are less than 1.5mmol/L. Levels higher than 10 can cause inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) which is a very serious and painful condition. Alcohol is the major factor in quickly elevating triglyceride levels.