[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/09\/cholesterol-basics-what-you-need-to-know\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/09\/cholesterol-basics-what-you-need-to-know\/","headline":"Cholesterol Basics: What You Need to Know","name":"Cholesterol Basics: What You Need to Know","description":"Learn about cholesterol basics, and what you can do to keep your cholesterol level in a healthy range, including cholesterol tests.","datePublished":"2015-09-12","dateModified":"2018-08-29","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","name":"Heart and Vascular Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/heart-and-vascular-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/cholesterol.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/cholesterol.jpg","height":527,"width":791},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/09\/cholesterol-basics-what-you-need-to-know\/","about":["Heart and Vascular Health","Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":517,"keywords":["Atherosclerosis","cholesterol","cholesterol treatment","hardening of arteries","heart attack","heart disease","high cholesterol","stroke"],"articleBody":"This article was last updated on July 7, 2017Cholesterol is a fat-like compound found in body tissue\u00a0\u2014 and it plays a key role in your heart health. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones and help your body digest food. So, there are healthy and unhealthy ranges of cholesterol.Unfortunately, the only way to know if your cholesterol is in a healthy range is to have it tested.\u00a0By learning about cholesterol basics, you can stay on track with heart-healthy choices.What Is Cholesterol?Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found in your blood and all of your body’s cells. Your liver makes it naturally, and it also comes from the foods you eat, including animal products like:Meat, fish, and poultryEgg yolksWhole milk dairy productsFoods from plants like fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds have no cholesterol.Your cholesterol levelYour cholesterol level is the amount of cholesterol in your blood. Your total cholesterol level is made up of:HDL, or “good” cholesterol. \u2013 A higher number is better, because HDL helps take away LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, from your blood.LDL, or “bad” cholesterol. \u2013 A lower number is better, because LDL is linked to the buildup of plaque in your blood vessels.Triglycerides, a type of fat. \u2013 A lower number is better, because triglycerides are also linked to the buildup of plaque in your blood vesselsGetting a Cholesterol TestStarting at age 20, you should have a cholesterol test every four to six years. Your doctor may tell you to have yours checked more often if you have risk factors for heart disease.Tests usually take place at a doctor’s office or other medical facility. Some communities offer free heart screenings at health fairs and other events.Before your test, you will be asked not to eat or drink for several hours. During your test, a nurse or technician draws blood from your arm, and your blood is then sent to a lab for testing. Usually, you’ll get your results in about a week.Cholesterol test resultsYour results will fall into one of the following categories:200 mg\/dL or lower = normal200 – 239 mg\/dL = borderline high240 mg\/dL or higher = highHaving too much cholesterol in your blood raises your risk for heart disease, because cholesterol can build up inside your blood vessels in a form called plaque.Over time, plaque build-up can make your blood vessels narrow, hard, or block them completely. If blood flow to your heart is blocked, it can cause a heart attack; if blood flow to your brain is blocked, it can cause a stroke.High Cholesterol TreatmentSome people can lower cholesterol by changing their habits, including:Eating a heart-healthy diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and low-fat or fat-free dairy productsGetting regular exerciseLosing weight, and maintaining a healthy weightQuitting smokingOther people might need medicines to help lower cholesterol. Talk to your doctor about what is best for you.To learn more, visit the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute or contact us at 1-855-UPMC-HVI (876-2484)."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2015","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"09","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/\/09\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Cholesterol Basics: What You Need to Know","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/09\/cholesterol-basics-what-you-need-to-know\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]