Your Guide to Cholesterol Testing: Get It Done Today
Right now, a whopping 25 percent of deaths are related to heart disease.
This is staggering, but not entirely surprising when you consider the 24-hour availability of healthy foods, increased anxiety and stress, and sedentary lifestyle that most people live or are subject to. Because the risk is so real, you should become an advocate for your own health by getting regular testing and sticking to doctor visits.
In this regard, cholesterol testing should be high on your list. Consider the points below so you know what to expect.
Why Cholesterol Testing Is Important
Cholesterol testing is key because high cholesterol is often the first and most direct indication that a person is at risk for heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes.
A simple cholesterol test tells you a lot about your health that you might not know when considering physical appearance alone. People in their mid-30’s and up should definitely be getting cholesterol tests on a regular basis.
What to Expect From the Test
When you go in for cholesterol screening, a professional will draw a blood sample and send it off to the lab. You’ll usually be given a code and website that will let you log in and check the test results after a certain number of days. You may also have copies of the results sent to you.
The test will break down the precise levels of triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and overall cholesterol.
By getting accurate levels, you’ll get a clear picture of your good and bad cholesterol levels, which a medical professional can explain further. From there, you can figure out where you land based on your age and background and can come up with plans for tweaking your lifestyle in order to improve these levels.
Do your research into what type of screening procedure is involved in the cholesterol test. For example, some companies might ask you to fast before coming in to draw blood, or other preparations before the appointment.
Find the Right Company to Administer the Test and Commit Yourself to a Healthy Life
Be sure that you choose a company that is reputable, professional, and that they adhere to all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) laws.
Get an exact timeline of when you can expect to get the results back for your screening.
You’ll also need to look into the price of the test. Getting this test can cost you between $5 and $200, and there are plenty of options to choose from when looking for a provider.
Above all, use this cholesterol screening as a first step toward correcting any issues. Make changes to your diet, fitness level, stressors, or any other matters that are causing low cholesterol.
Get Your Cholesterol Under Control
As you can see, cholesterol testing is crucially important to your health and well-being.
We can ship you cholesterol tests that you can complete in the comfort of your home, and send off to a lab for results. This lets you take a positive step for your health.
To order a test, reach out to us online or give us a call at (615)332-8838.
