Unfortunately for those that suffer from high cholesterol there are no symptoms to look out for and the symptoms that do come along with only happen very rarely and this is when a more serious problem has arose. The only way that high cholesterol can really be identified is by a blood test that can be performed by a doctor or other healthcare professional.

The blood test that will be performed will look at the key lipids or fats in the blood such as LDL, HDL and Triglycerides and it is only when these have been analyzed can a positive result on high cholesterol can be given.

High cholesterol is one of the main important components and contributing factors for heart disease and other heart related problems, all of which can have potentially fatal results. With the majority of people that have high cholesterol, they do not realize that they have this problem until they have experienced their first heart attack or stroke and at this point the damage could already have been done.

The symptoms that will be noted from high cholesterol are very often related to the end scale result of the condition, such as coronary heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and strokes or heart attacks. This are all potentially life threatening conditions and could have been prevented if the people that suffered from them had checked their cholesterol but because there are no symptoms, people believe that they are fit and healthy until something bad happens.

If you are over the age of twenty then it is highly advisable to visit your doctor or GP and have a cholesterol test at least once every five years. If there is a family history of high cholesterol as well as diabetes and heart disease and heart related problems, then it is rather advisable to have the test slightly more frequently to ensure that the same will not happen to you.

There are some people that will be at an increased risk of this condition and because of there being no symptoms of high cholesterol, it would make sense for them to have the cholesterol test on a yearly basis. These people that are at an increased risk are those smoke, are on specific medications or types of medication, those with a bad diet and also those with the family history. The older generation will also be at more of a risk as well and therefore the tests should be performed more regularly.



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