LDL Cholesterol Test Kits at Home
Being able to check your cholesterol levels at home is a big plus for most people who are worried about their cholesterol especially for those who are very susceptible to have higher than normal levels or for those who are at risk for developing heart diseases. Although the results you might get from your home kit may not be as accurate as having a medical check-up, it's still helpful to have your cholesterol checked at home.
Your HDL cholesterol is considered the "good" cholesterol which is why high values of this cholesterol is a good sign. High levels of HDL cholesterol would lessen your risk for heart ailments. Your HDL cholesterol levels should be above 40 mg/dL and results lower than this would increase your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
LDL cholesterol is the "bad" cholesterol in your body. This cholesterol can lead to build-up of plaques in your arterial walls which would impede the circulation of blood in your body and would result to blood clots. A blood clot is one of the primary reasons for heart attacks and stroke.
Triglycerides are another type of fat found in the body. Elevated triglyceride levels are usually found in people who smoke, are overweight, inactive, drink too much alcohol, and eat lots of carbohydrates.
Home cholesterol kits are now available in pharmacies in your neighborhood. Before purchasing a kit, you need to remember that there are different kinds of kits available and that each kit measures different levels like your total cholesterol, low- density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides, and cholesterol. Some kits only measure a certain level while others may measure your HDL, LDL, and triglycerides altogether. When you use a home cholesterol test kit, you need to fast for at least nine to 12 hours before taking the test. Taking the test without fasting would lead to inaccurate results.
You need to consult your physician before using the test so that he might be able to give you some instructions on how to use the test appropriately to get more accurate results. It is very important that you choose the right type of kit according to what kind of test you need. Test kits that can monitor all of the three levels are a bit expensive but they are able to give you accurate information. All of these kits are fast and easy to use but always make sure that you follow the proper steps while taking the test.
Choose the Safe Route to Increase HDL
There are two paths a person may opt to take when
considering how to increase HDL
(high-density lipoprotein) level. One is to take the natural route â
eliminating artery-clogging food from oneâs diet, quitting smoking, and
exercising. Those with health issues need to get the green light from their
doctors before embarking on an exercise program. Using these natural remedies
to reduce bad cholesterol and increase the good type takes some discipline. For
those who are determined to embrace wellness and enjoy life longer, every
little effort can add up and be worth it.
Overweight individuals, in particular, can help
themselves a great deal by shedding excess pounds. By losing weight, HDL level
may be raised substantially. The other path, which comes with side effects, is
to take doctor-prescribed medication. There are numerous classes of drugs, one
of which your doctor may prescribe for you in order to address cholesterol
disorder. Itâll be useless, though, to keep taking drugs without watching your
diet or giving up smoking. Smoking has the tendency to let cholesterol level
shoot up by 15 to 20 percent.
Thereâs truth to the notion that red wine â owing to
its polyphenol content -- can help increase
HDL, so consume it in moderation. Persons with high levels of cholesterol
are normally advised by their physicians to partake of high-fiber whole grains
(examples are brown rice and oatmeal), leafy green vegetables and fruits (such
as apples, oranges, pineapple, and other heart-enhancers) and food rich in
omega-3 fatty acids (such as mackerel, sardines, and salmon). Note that persons
who adhere to a Mediterranean-style diet (or prepare meals using healthy fats)
are likely to have higher HDL or good cholesterol levels. Food items with
phytosterols including asparagus, spinach, onions, ginger, etc. also help
maintain cholesterol level. Home remedies such as taking a mixture consisting
of some cinnamon mixed with a fraction of a teaspoon of ginger in a cup of hot
water may help lower cholesterol.
Those who are unable to eat food that supply a
sufficient amount of nutrients the body needs for optimum functioning can get
by with natural supplements. Magnesium can lower total cholesterol and LDL and
raise HDL. Supplements with phytosterols (naturally occurring compounds in
plant membranes and cells) may help reduce blood cholesterol levels.
Whichever route you take â natural, chemical, or a
combination of both, remember to play it extra safe and consult a medical
expert when setting out to decrease LDL and increase HDL.
Lowering Triglycerides
Triglycerides are major types of fat
that are stored in our body. They are the calories from the food we eat that
our body doesn't need to use immediately. These triglycerides are kept in our
body's fat cells. Between meal times, our triglycerides are released by our
hormones to be converted into energy for our body to use. When the calories we
eat are more than we could burn, we may have elevated triglyceride levels or is
known as "hypertriglyceridemia".
Our triglyceride levels are mostly
affected by our recent consumption of fat and alcohol. To measure our
triglyceride, we need to fast for about 12 hours before having them checked. We
should abstain from drinking alcohol for a few hours before testing. Checking
for triglycerides is a part of the test the doctor will do when they check your
cholesterol levels. This test is called "lipid profile test" or
"lipid panel test".
The normal triglyceride level should
be below 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or not more than 1.7 millimoles
per liter (mmol/L). When your result is between 150 and 199 mg/ dL or 1.8 to 2.
2 mmol/L, this is called a "borderline high. If it is from 200 to 499
mg/dL or 2.3 to 5.6 mmol/L then your results are "high". If it is 500
mg/dL and above or 5.7 mmol/L and above then your triglycerides are "very
high". Elevated level of triglycerides that are within the "very
high" range usually cause pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas.
Doctors usually treat patients for lowering triglycerides within this level with diets
low in fat and if needed, medications.
Studies have shown that elevated
triglycerides may be due to numerous factors like smoking, obesity, sedentary
lifestyle, and a high consumption of alcohol. High triglyceride levels often
indicate a greater risk of heart ailments, especially atherosclerosis which is
the condition wherein the arteries are hardened, due to elevated total
cholesterol in the body.
How to
lower your triglyceride level:
1. Decrease your intake of
carbohydrates. A high consumption of carbohydrates directly causes too much
production of insulin which leads to elevated triglycerides in women whereas
low consumption of carbohydrates does not have a direct effect on your
triglycerides.
2. A diet rich in omega- 3 fatty acids
which are from fishes, flax seed oil, and other food sources help reduce
triglyceride levels.
3. Exercise daily. Exercising is a
good way to burn down your carbohydrates and get rid of the excess triglyceride
in your bloodstream.