Medical Tests And Exams No One Should Miss

Cholesterol Profile

Many patients, particularly those who have a family history of heart disease, will be given the suggestion of regularly having cholesterol tests performed. These tests essentially look to ensure a patient's cholesterol is kept at a healthy level. A patient's cholesterol profile can determine how healthy they are now and how healthy they will be in the future. Having high cholesterol can lead to a series of other problems, including increasing the patient's risk of developing heart disease, a stroke, diabetes, and even chronic kidney disease. A cholesterol test is basically a blood draw. In some cases, patients will be told to fast before the draw, though this may not always be the case. Otherwise healthy individuals should typically have a cholesterol test performed every five years after turning twenty years old. Individuals at risk for heart disease or those who have high blood pressure should be tested more often. By knowing their cholesterol, patients can prevent developing worse issues for their body in the future.