“Ask Dr. Walt” in Today’s Christian Living “How do you find out if you have an abnormal cholesterol?” (Part 3 of 7)
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April 5, 2024“Ask Dr. Walt” in Today’s Christian Living “How do you find out if you have an abnormal cholesterol?” (Part 3 of 7)
I enjoy being penning a bi-monthly column for the readers of Today’s Christian Living magazine. In the March 2024 issue I addressed some options on treating high cholesterol in an article titled, “Is Red Rice Yeast the Best Treatment for a Potential Killer – High Cholesterol?”
March 2024 Today’s Christian Living
HERE’S THE LINK to the column which you’ll find on pages 22-23. And below is Part 1 of 7 in the article titled, “Is Red Rice Yeast the Best Treatment for a Potential Killer – High Cholesterol?”:
How do you find out if you have an abnormal cholesterol?
Unfortunately, high cholesterol does not have any symptoms early in the disease process. The only way to know whether you have a potential problem is with a blood test called a “lipid profile,” which will usually measure these cholesterol levels:
- Total cholesterol: a measure of all the different types of cholesterol in your blood. It’s based on the LDL, HDL, and triglycerides numbers.
- LDL (lethal) cholesterol: a “bad” type of cholesterol that is a major cause of the blockage of arteries. A high LDL significantly increases your risk for heart disease and premature death.
- HDL (healthy) cholesterol: a “good” type of cholesterol that helps clear LDL cholesterol out of your arteries. A higher HDL is better for you and, a low HDL increases your risk for heart disease.
- Triglycerides: a type of fat that can also increase your risk for heart disease.
- Non-HDL cholesterol: your total cholesterol value minus your HDL value. A high non-HDL level can indicate an increased risk for heart disease.
It is important to get your lipid profile checked regularly. The general recommendation is every 4 to 6 years. Some people may need to get their cholesterol checked more often depending on their risk of heart disease. High cholesterol can run in families. If someone in your family has high cholesterol or takes medicine to control cholesterol, you might need to get tested more often. Talk to your doctor about what’s best for you.
Here’s the whole series:
- 4/2, Part 1: “Best Treatment for a Potential Killer – High Cholesterol” — question and short answer
- 4/3, Part 2: What is cholesterol and why should you care?
- 4/4, Part 3: How do you find out if you have an abnormal cholesterol?
- 4/5, Part 4:How do you deal with abnormal cholesterol numbers?
- 4/6, Part 5: What is red yeast rice?
- 4/7, Part 6: Should you use red yeast rice?
- 4/8, Part 7: Why choose a statin instead?
Walt Larimore, MD, has been called one of America’s best known family physicians and has been named in the “Guide to America’s Top Family Doctors,” “The Best Doctors in America,” “Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare,” and “Who’s Who in America.” He’s a former Vice President and Physician in Residence at Focus on the Family and the American Life League has named him a “Rock-Solid Pro-Life” awardee. He’s also an award-winning medical journalist and the best-selling author of over 40 books. He and his childhood sweetheart and wife of nearly 50 years, Barb, have two adult children and reside in Colorado Springs. You can find Doctor Walt’s health blog at www.DrWalt.com and follow him on Facebook at “DrWalt.com”. Have questions for Dr. Walt? Email them to editor@todayschristianliving.org.
© Copyright WLL, INC. 2024. This blog provides healthcare tips and advice that you can trust about a wide variety of general health information only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your regular physician. If you are concerned about your health, take what you learn from this blog and meet with your personal doctor to discuss your concerns.
