The Harsh Reality of College Drinking
When kids head off to college, 21 or not, they will be exposed to alcohol, perhaps more than ever before. There...
Read moreHelp patients book appointments with you on Solv. It's free!
16 instant-book locations
No more surprise bills. Solv is committed to making getting healthcare as easy as buying groceries at the store, including knowing the price of care upfront.
No more surprise bills. Solv is committed to making getting healthcare as easy as buying groceries at the store, including knowing the price of care upfront.
No more surprise bills. Solv is committed to making getting healthcare as easy as buying groceries at the store, including knowing the price of care upfront.
No more surprise bills. Solv is committed to making getting healthcare as easy as buying groceries at the store, including knowing the price of care upfront.
No more surprise bills. Solv is committed to making getting healthcare as easy as buying groceries at the store, including knowing the price of care upfront.
No more surprise bills. Solv is committed to making getting healthcare as easy as buying groceries at the store, including knowing the price of care upfront.
No more surprise bills. Solv is committed to making getting healthcare as easy as buying groceries at the store, including knowing the price of care upfront.
No more surprise bills. Solv is committed to making getting healthcare as easy as buying groceries at the store, including knowing the price of care upfront.
No more surprise bills. Solv is committed to making getting healthcare as easy as buying groceries at the store, including knowing the price of care upfront.
No more surprise bills. Solv is committed to making getting healthcare as easy as buying groceries at the store, including knowing the price of care upfront.
No more surprise bills. Solv is committed to making getting healthcare as easy as buying groceries at the store, including knowing the price of care upfront.
No more surprise bills. Solv is committed to making getting healthcare as easy as buying groceries at the store, including knowing the price of care upfront.
No more surprise bills. Solv is committed to making getting healthcare as easy as buying groceries at the store, including knowing the price of care upfront.
No more surprise bills. Solv is committed to making getting healthcare as easy as buying groceries at the store, including knowing the price of care upfront.
No more surprise bills. Solv is committed to making getting healthcare as easy as buying groceries at the store, including knowing the price of care upfront.
No more surprise bills. Solv is committed to making getting healthcare as easy as buying groceries at the store, including knowing the price of care upfront.
Help patients book appointments with you on Solv. It's free!
Cholesterol is not inherently bad. Your body has many uses for it, such as building cells and producing hormones. Too much cholesterol, however, can cause problems.
Cholesterol comes from two different sources. The liver produces cholesterol, and you also get dietary cholesterol from the foods you eat. Animal products such as meat, dairy, and eggs all contain cholesterol. Foods high in saturated and trans fat can cause your liver to produce more cholesterol than you need, resulting in unhealthy cholesterol levels.
High cholesterol increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, which are two leading causes of death in the United States. Approximately 38 percent of American adults have high total cholesterol levels. Because high cholesterol has no symptoms, it’s important to have your cholesterol levels checked and make sure you are within healthy ranges. Even children and adolescents should have their cholesterol levels checked.
The CDC recommends that people over the age of 20 who have a low risk of cardiovascular disease have their cholesterol checked every 5 years [3]. Those with risk factors for cardiovascular disease should have their cholesterol checked more often. Other risk factors for heart disease include high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.
Fortunately, there are simple lifestyle changes you can make to lower your cholesterol. Reduce your intake of saturated fats and eliminate trans fats from your diet as much as possible. Trans fats are often listed on food labels as “partially hydrogenated vegetable oil,” and are present in store-bought cookies and baked goods. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and avoid processed foods, especially those high in sugar.
Exercise at least three days a week, and get more physical activity. Any type of physical activity helps. Go for a walk on your lunch break, and take the stairs instead of the elevator. Aim for at least 10,000 steps each day.
Don’t smoke, and drink alcohol only in moderation. Not only will these changes help reduce your cholesterol, but they’ll also improve your overall cardiovascular health.
A cholesterol test is usually a simple blood test. While you don’t necessarily need to see a doctor first, it’s a good idea to call your doctor’s office and ask what type of test they will perform. That’s because some cholesterol tests may require you to fast before your test.
The cost of a cholesterol test depends on several factors, such as the type of test required, where you get tested, and whether you have health insurance. For instance, a cholesterol test at a walk-in clinic or pharmacy may cost around $100.
Cholesterol testing is often performed during an annual physical, which is typically covered by insurance. However, your insurance plan may have some limitations on cholesterol testing. For example, they may pay for a cholesterol test once every five years. To know what is covered by your insurance plan, you can call your insurance company or check your plan documents.
High cholesterol has no symptoms. The only way to tell if you have high cholesterol is with a blood test. Men over the age of 35 and women over the age of 45 should have their cholesterol tested. You may be at risk of high cholesterol if you have a BMI of 30 or higher, don’t get enough exercise, smoke, drink alcohol in excess, and eat too much saturated fat or trans fat.
If your doctor has instructed you to fast before your cholesterol test, you should not have anything to eat or drink other than water the night before your test. If your doctor has not instructed you to fast, you can eat and drink normally. If you aren’t sure whether you should fast, contact your doctor’s office.
Most people are required to fast for 9 to 12 hours before a cholesterol test. Fasting prior to your test will help ensure that your test results are not influenced by a single meal. Not all cholesterol tests require fasting, so check with your healthcare provider and make sure to follow their instructions.
A cholesterol test includes several metrics, including total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol. It may also include triglycerides and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). Generally, you want your total cholesterol and LDL to be low and your HDL to be high. It’s always a good idea to ask your doctor for help interpreting your results. High total cholesterol could be caused by a higher HDL level, which is actually good. Understanding the breakdown of your test numbers is important.
Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). For adults, total cholesterol levels of less than 200 mg/dL are generally considered good. A reading of 240 mg/dL is considered very high. LDL cholesterol levels should be below 100 mg/dL. An LDL reading of 160 mg/dL is considered high. HDL levels should be 60 mg/dL or higher. An HDL reading of 40 mg/dL or lower is a major risk factor for heart disease.
Booking a cholesterol test through Solv is easy. Simply start typing “cholesterol” in the search box and select the option for cholesterol test when it appears. You can use your current location or enter a different location. On the next page, you will see a list of providers near you, along with available appointment times. Select a time and location that is convenient for you and enter your information to schedule an appointment.
At home cholesterol tests are available, but they may not be accurate or valid. Home cholesterol tests typically involve using a lancet to prick your finger and then applying a few drops of blood onto a test strip. Unfortunately, these tests can be inaccurate if not done correctly.. Also, they typically only check for total cholesterol, which isn’t as useful as knowing your breakdown of LDL and HDL. For the best results, have the test performed by a qualified healthcare provider.
Updated on Oct 25, 2024
Solv has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.
Chickenpox Vaccine
DOT Exam
Ear Wax Removal
Flu Shot
Hepatitis Vaccine
Measles Vaccine (MMR)
Physical Exam
Shingles Vaccine
Sports Physicals
Tetanus Shot
Typhoid Vaccine
Yellow Fever Vaccine
Tips, advice, news—your resource to stay healthy and safe while improving your experience with healthcare providers when you need them.