| Blood cholesterol is one of the most important | | | | woman is on oral contraceptives or is pregnant. |
| constituents of the blood/body. It has varied | | | | The level tends to decrease after the pregnancy |
| bodily functions, and it builds up healthy cells. It is | | | | is over, or after oral contraceptives are stopped. |
| an essential constituent of the cell wall | | | | It may take even 5-6 months to come to normal |
| (membrane), and if the level of blood cholesterol | | | | levels. Screening for high blood cholesterol must |
| falls below normal, the walls of the red blood cells | | | | be carried out through medical camps |
| (RBC) are likely to rupture, thus causing a severe | | | | house-to-house surveys to locate patients |
| fall in haemoglobin (Hb). | | | | suffering from this malady, as they require |
| Cholesterol mainly comes from the diet, i.e. from | | | | immediate treatment. Significant importance is |
| butter, ghee (saturated fat), egg-yolk, | | | | now being given to the levels of cholesterol |
| non-vegetarian food. Sea food/fish contains a low | | | | among the general population. It is very important |
| content of saturated fat. However, | | | | to know the level of blood cholesterol in a person |
| polyunsaturated fats like safflower, corn, | | | | at an early age |
| sunflower, soybean, and cotton seed oils, etc do | | | | Blood cholesterol can be tested at any biochemical |
| not give rise to serum cholesterol levels in the | | | | laboratory, after recommendation from the |
| blood. These are recommended both for | | | | physician. One must talk to one's physician about |
| prevention and treatment of high blood | | | | the testing of blood cholesterol. The cholesterol |
| cholesterol. | | | | level should be checked while fasting in the |
| Cholesterol is also synthesized/made in the body. | | | | morning, and if a person takes alcohol, he should |
| It has got limited excretion. Some is passed in | | | | avoid it for at least 48 hours before the test. |
| faeces/bile, but is mostly retained in the body. | | | | Above all, .the test must be carried out by an |
| The level of blood cholesterol rises as soon as the | | | | experienced biochemist. If the blood cholesterol |
| person eats. | | | | level is high, it is advisable that a lipidogram be |
| The normal blood cholesterol level should be | | | | done. |
| between 150-199 mg/ dl, and if it is more than | | | | High levels of blood cholesterol are dangerous for |
| 240 mg/ dl, it is considered a high level of blood | | | | the body. They cause narrowing, and even |
| cholesterol. Patients having a blood cholesterol | | | | blockage of the coronary arteries (blood vessels |
| level between 200-239 mg/ dl are borderline | | | | supplying the heart) and blood vessels supplying |
| cases. Both in high and borderline cases, repeated | | | | the brain, leading to heart attacks and strokes |
| check-ups of blood cholesterol are required. | | | | (paralysis, etc.) respectively. The chances of |
| However, those with a normal level of blood | | | | developing these diseases become higher if one |
| cholesterol must get their blood it checked-up, at | | | | has, in addition, diabetes, high blood pressure and |
| least every five years, especially after the age of | | | | obesity. The risk also increases if one has a family |
| 40. In general, all persons above the age of 20 | | | | history of high blood cholesterol/heart attack. The |
| must get their blood tested to exclude high levels | | | | danger is also greater in persons who are |
| of cholesterol. | | | | addicted to heavy smoking/tobacco chewing, and |
| In children above 2 years of age, blood may be | | | | have sedentary habits. In females the risk is much |
| tested for cholesterol levels in case they have a | | | | more after menopause. |
| family history of high blood .cholesterol/ coronary | | | | High levels of cholesterol may lead to gallstones, |
| artery disease / stroke. | | | | and may even be responsible for cancers. |
| Blood cholesterol level may increase when a | | | | |