Q: What is cholesterol?
A: Cholesterol is a fatty substance present in most meaty foods and some
vegetables. In normal amounts it is an important building block of bile acids,
which help digestion, and steroid hormones. In the blood, cholesterol is found
in particles containing both lipids (fats) and proteins, hence they are referred
to as lipoproteins.
Q: Who should be testing for high cholesterol?
A: Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is important for everyone: young,
middle-aged, and older adults; women and men; and people with or without heart
disease. Adults 20 years and older should be testing their cholesterol at
least once every 5 years. Those found to have elevated cholesterol requiring
changes in diet or drug therapy, or who have been diagnosed with heart disease
will require more frequent lipid profile testing, at least annually.
Q: Why should I be testing my cholesterol level?
A: As one of the major risk factors for developing heart disease, your blood
cholesterol level affects your chances of having a heart attack. It is important
to find out what your cholesterol levels are because lowering cholesterol levels
that are too high lessens the chance of having a heart attack or dying from
heart disease, even if you already have it.
Q: Why should I use the Instant Cholesterol Testing Kit?
A: The Instant Cholesterol Testing Kit can help you find out your cholesterol level
quickly, simply, and conveniently in your home. We have specialists ready to
help you understand your personal risk for developing heart disease so you can
take control of your personal health and well-being.
Q: What does my total cholesterol level mean?
A: Testing your blood for total cholesterol acts as a general indicator of the
risk of heart disease, but represents a group of several "lipids,"
good and bad. Generally, it is best to have a total cholesterol level less than
200 mg/dL, but if your value is greater, or if you have additional risk factors,
you should have an additional blood test called a "lipid profile" to
find out the rest of your cholesterol numbers.
Q: Is it enough to know my cholesterol level?
A: No. Cholesterol is only one of many risk factors that may increase your
chance of heart disease. The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), a
'blue ribbon' committee of health professionals responsible for making
recommendations for the detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood
cholesterol in adults, established new guidelines in May 2001. These
recommendations focus on identifying and managing parts of your life that
increase your risk of heart disease, particularly lowering LDL Cholesterol in
persons with multiple risk factors.
Q: When I go to the doctor I always have to fast before cholesterol testing, why don't I have to fast for this
testing kit?
A: It is important to fast for the measurement of certain blood lipids, which
are sensitive to the effects of recent dietary intake, particularly
triglycerides and LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein). The NIH recommendations
contained in Adult Treatment Panel III ( ATP III ) state that "A
lipoprotein profile involving measurement of triglycerides and the indirect
calculation of LDL cholesterol (the common method) requires a 9- to 12-hour
fast." These recommendations specifically exclude measurement of total
cholesterol such as conducted with the Home Access Instant Cholesterol Testing
Kit .
Q: Will eating a big meal affect the result?
A: According to ATP III, the measurement of any lipid is preferably performed
with the person in a baseline stable condition, that is, in the absence of acute
illnesses including stroke, trauma, surgery, acute infection, weight loss,
pregnancy, or recent change in usual diet. The effect of a 'big meal' is
difficult to predict without knowing how it relates to the users normal dietary
intake, but it would probably be prudent to avoid such a meal just prior to
using the testing kit.
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