Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like waxy substance that is carried through the bloodstream. Contrary to what you may think, cholesterol itself isn't all bad. In fact it is one of the many substances created and used by our bodies to keep us healthy. Some of the cholesterol we need is produced naturally (and can be affected by family health history), and some of it comes from the food we eat. Too much cholesterol in the blood is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD), which leads to heart attack, and for stroke. CHD is the leading cause of death in the United States.

The cholesterol and other types of fats that circulate in your bloodstream are called "lipoproteins", or "lipids". Two major cholesterol types are HDL (good) and LDL (bad). It's important to understand the differences and to know the levels of "good" HDL cholesterol" and "bad" LDL cholesterol in your blood. Too much of one type - or not enough of another - can put you at risk for coronary heart disease, heart attack or stroke. And you should understand the importance of triglycerides, which are another component of your total profile.

Your blood cholesterol level has a lot to do with your chances of getting heart disease. High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease. In fact, the higher your blood cholesterol level, the greater your risk for developing heart disease or having a heart attack. Heart disease is the number one killer of women and men in the United States. Each year, more than one million Americans have heart attacks, and about a half million people die from heart disease.

Regular monitoring of cholesterol and triglycerides between physician visits gives you the peace of mind knowing if you are maintaining heart healthy levels. If you are taking cholesterol lowering medications, regular testing has been shown to increase the likelihood of compliance to your medication therapy.

Cholesterol levels are easily measured by simple blood tests. Your physician can do this in the office, or you can test your levels yourself using the CardioChek System. Discuss your test results with your physician or other healthcare professional to see if you need to take any action to improve your levels. And always consult your physician before making any changes in treatment plans or medications.

Remember that high cholesterol itself does not cause symptoms, so unless you test, you won’t know if your cholesterol levels are too high. Lowering bad cholesterol levels lessens the risk for developing heart disease and reduces the chance of a heart attack or dying of heart disease. Maintaining healthy cholesterol is important for everyone, even if you do not have heart disease.

Total cholesterol level is the sum of the cholesterol types in your blood. The higher your total cholesterol, the greater your probable risk for heart disease. A total cholesterol level of under 200 mg/dL is desirable. Over 240 mg/dL is high. A person with this level has more than twice the risk of heart disease as someone below 200 mg/dL.

HDL cholesterol is known as "good" cholesterol, because high levels of HDL seem to protect against heart attack. Medical experts think that HDL carries cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it's passed from the body. It is believed that HDL removes excess cholesterol from arterial plaque, slowing its buildup. This is a cholesterol level where higher is better – you should aim for an HDL level of greater than 60 mg/dL to reduce your risk for coronary heart disease. Low levels of HDL (less than 40 mg/dL) increase the risk of heart disease.

When LDL (bad) cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. Together with other substances, it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can narrow the arteries and make them less flexible. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. Heart attack or stroke can result if a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery. Since LDL cholesterol is associated with plaque build-up, it becomes the primary target for lowering to below 100 mg/dL.

Triglycerides are a form of fat that the body uses to store energy. Elevated triglycerides can be due to overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, cigarette smoking, excess alcohol consumption and a diet very high in carbohydrates. People with high triglycerides often have a high total cholesterol level, including a high LDL (bad) level and a low HDL (good) level. Many people with heart disease and/or diabetes also have high triglyceride levels. You should aim for triglyceride levels of less than 150 mg/dL.

Assuming you fasted for at least 12 hours before your test and your triglyceride level is below 400, your LDL level can be estimated based on your CardioChek total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. The formula is: Total cholesterol - HDL cholesterol - (triglycerides/5). There may be some variance from a direct LDL measurement, so talk to your healthcare professional if your calculated LDL level is over or near 100 mg/dL.