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