Symptoms and Diagnosis of Unhealthy Cholesterol Levels

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Symptoms and Diagnosis of Unhealthy Cholesterol Levels
St. Luke's Home of Texas Heart Institute

There are no warning signs for high LDL-cholesterol levels. When symptoms finally occur, they usually take the form of angina or heart attack. A blood test for cholesterol should include a measurement of both HDL and overall cholesterol levels. It is very difficult to measure LDL levels by themselves, but LDL levels can be reliably calculated using total cholesterol and HDL levels.


WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF UNHEALTHY LEVELS OF CHOLESTEROL?

There are no warning signs for high LDL-cholesterol levels. When symptoms finally occur, they usually take the form of angina or heart attack in response to the buildup of atherosclerotic plaque in the patient's arteries. This is definitely an affliction where it pays to invest in preventive medicine before dangerous complications occur.

HOW ARE DETECTED CHOLESTEROL LEVELS DIAGNOSED AND WHO SHOULD BE SCREENED FOR THEM?

Blood Tests for Cholesterol
A blood test for cholesterol should include a measurement of both HDL and overall cholesterol levels. It is very difficult to measure LDL levels by themselves, but LDL levels can be reliably calculated using total cholesterol and HDL levels.

To obtain a reliable cholesterol level reading, experts advise the following:

* Avoid strenuous exercise 24 hours before the test
* Do not eat or drink anything but water for 12 hours beforehand.
* If the test results are abnormal, a second test should be performed between one week and two months after the first test.

An adult with normal cholesterol levels does not need to have the test repeated for five years unless changes occur in his or her lifestyle, including weight gain and changes in medication or diet. Those already being treated for high cholesterol should be checked every two to six months.

Tests are available for home use and in public locations, such as shopping malls and pharmacies, but they only measure total cholesterol. A laboratory test is still needed to measure individual lipid and lipoprotein levels.

Tests for Markers of Heart Disease in People with Unhealthy Lipid Levels
Eventually, blood tests for factors with inflammation in the arteries may be useful in demonstrating a higher risk for heart disease in people with unhealthy lipids:

* A high white-blood cell count
* Elevated fibrinogen (a factor responsible for blood clotting)
* C-reactive protein. This protein is regulated by a very potent immune factor called interleukin-6 and elevated levels have been strongly associated with the inflammatory response and a higher risk for heart attack. It is also associated with high blood pressure, insulin resistance (the primary action in diabetes), and obesity.