Endocrinologist told Volgograd how to interpret the analysis for cholesterol
Cholesterol analysis – a mandatory part of the annual examination
About what information this analysis gives and how to interpret the results, said Marina Arsenova, endocrinologist at the polyclinical level of the city clinical hospital.
The analysis itself does not make a diagnosis, but it helps to assess the risks of serious conditions - primarily cardiovascular pathologies, heart attack and stroke. Elevated cholesterol may not be an independent problem, but a symptom of other diseases. For example, it is often found in hypothyroidism - when the thyroid gland produces less hormones and thereby disrupts the metabolism of cholesterol. Also, a high level can indicate metabolic syndrome: this is a complex of disorders, which includes abdominal obesity, problems with carbohydrate metabolism (up to diabetes), arterial hypertension and other deviations. Therefore, along with cholesterol, doctors usually prescribe a test for triglycerides.
Both types of cholesterol perform a transport function – transfer lipoproteins from the liver to the cells. The problem arises when the level of “bad” cholesterol increases: transportation slows down, lipoproteins accumulate and provoke heart and vascular diseases.
Factors that increase “bad” cholesterol:
The level of “good” cholesterol, on the contrary, can be supported by a healthy lifestyle: regular aerobic exercise (walking, running, swimming), quality sleep, as well as a balanced diet. It is useful to increase the proportion of fiber products - legumes, vegetables, whole grain cereals - and add sources of healthy fats: salmon, mackerel, sardine, avocado, nuts (up to 30 g per day). Key figures and norms
The risk of atherosclerosis is indicated by an increased level of total cholesterol: normally it should be less than 5.2 mmol / l. But if a person has risk factors (such as diabetes, a heart attack or stroke), the target level will be lower.
The accuracy of the result depends on the preparation:
before the procedure, try to relax - stress can also affect the indicators.
