Most people believe that cholesterol is a dangerous substance for the body. Indeed, its excess has a negative impact on he alth, but its deficiency does not lead to anything good. Each person needs to donate blood every year for the study of cholesterol levels in order to identify deviations from normal levels. Below we will talk about how to properly donate blood for cholesterol and decipher the result of the analysis.
Cholesterol is an indispensable substance for the body
The assertion that cholesterol has only harmful effects is fundamentally wrong. This fat-like substance ("fatty bile" in literal translation) envelops all the cell membranes of the body, protecting them from adverse factors.
Without cholesterol, the work of the brain is impossible - it makes up a significant part of the white and gray matter. The sheath of nerve fibers also contains cholesterol. Thanks to its participation in the production of hormones, it is necessary for the full functioning of the adrenal glands and the reproductive system.
Cholesterol is partially synthesized by the body, the rest comes from food.
"Good" and "bad" cholesterol
Doctors divide cholesterol into useful and harmful due to the heterogeneity of its composition:
- "good" has a high density, it does not settle on the walls of blood vessels, i.e. does not provoke the appearance of cholesterol plaques;
- "bad" has a low density and can lead to the formation of plaques, as a result of which the walls of the vessels are injured, their lumen is significantly reduced.
How is it that cholesterol is both good and bad at the same time? It is transported from the blood to the tissues of the organs with the help of special proteins - lipoproteins. These proteins also have different densities, which determine the quality of cholesterol transfer. Low-density proteins are not able to completely transfer it - part of the cholesterol remains in the vessels.
Who needs to monitor cholesterol levels
Cholesterol should always remain normal. Its deficiency affects the mental state, and its excess provokes the occurrence of serious diseases or complicates the course of existing ones.
Cholesterol blood test is an important he alth checkpoint. It is recommended to take an analysis annually in order to prevent the development of serious ailments in a timely manner.
Persons included inrisk group for high bad cholesterol:
- smokers;
- obese, prone to overweight;
- hypertension patients;
- having diseases of the heart, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, thyroid gland;
- with a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle;
- diabetic;
- menopausal women;
- older people.
How often people in any category should be tested for cholesterol should be decided by the attending physician in each case after a thorough examination.
Preparing for the test
The result of the analysis depends on knowing how to properly donate blood for cholesterol. This is actually very important. To get an accurate picture, special attention should be paid to preparing for a blood test for cholesterol:
- During the week preceding the study, do not eat fatty and fried foods, alcohol. It is strictly forbidden to eat: products containing animal fats, cheese, sausage, egg yolk.
- For at least 2-3 days, eliminate the possibility of stress: overload at work, nervous breakdowns. It is also recommended to postpone visiting attractions, carrying out hardening procedures, trips to the bathhouse and sauna are undesirable.
Blood is taken on an empty stomach, the last meal should take place 12 hours before the analysis.
On the day of blood donation for analysis
Before donating blood for cholesterol analysis, you need to refrain from smoking for at least 4 hours. At the same time, the use of carbonated drinks, juices, fruit drinks, tea, coffee, etc. is prohibited. It is allowed to drink clean water without gas.
In order for the result to be as reliable as possible, it is not enough to follow only recommendations on how to properly donate blood for cholesterol and prepare for analysis. Equally important is the emotional state. Before the procedure, you need to get enough sleep, and half an hour before donating blood, relax and think about something pleasant.
Blood is taken from a vein, so you need to take care of comfortable clothing in advance.
Normal blood cholesterol levels
The blood cholesterol level is measured in mmol/l. It is one of the 3 main units of laboratory research and shows the atomic (molecular) mass of cholesterol per 1 liter of blood.
The minimum amount of cholesterol in the blood is 2.9 units, it is detected in children at birth, as it grows older.
The amount of cholesterol in men and women differs. In addition, in women, the indicator grows slowly, while in men it rises sharply in adolescence and middle age. With the onset of menopause in women, the amount of cholesterol rapidly increases and becomes much higher than in men of the same age. That is why the beginning of menopause is a good reason to donate blood for research.
The normal range for blood cholesterol is 3.5-7 units for women and 3.3-7.8 for men
Ifthe study showed abnormalities, you need to donate blood for an advanced analysis of the number of lipoproteins, showing the ratio of "good" and "bad" cholesterol.
The norm of low-density proteins: for men - 2, 3-4, 7 units, for women - 1, 9-4, 4 units; high: for men - 0.74-1.8 units, for women - 0.8-2.3 units.
Additionally, the amount of triglycerides - substances involved in cholesterol metabolism, is also detected, the unit of measurement is also mmol / l. Their number should not exceed 0.6-3.6 units. in men and 0.5-2.5 units. in women.
The final step is to calculate the coefficient of atherogenicity: the ratio of "good" and "bad" is subtracted from the amount of total cholesterol. If the result is not more than 4, it is considered that the state of cholesterol metabolism is normal.
Important! Indicators may have slight deviations, which may be the norm - they are individual for each person.
High cholesterol - what to do?
If the results of blood tests for cholesterol showed a total amount of more than 5.0 mmol / l, and there is more “bad” cholesterol than “good”, it is customary to talk about hypercholesterolemia. It is important to take tests regularly, because at the initial stage the disease does not manifest itself in any way.
Over time, symptoms appear that indicate the progression of the disease:
- shortness of breath;
- chest pain;
- weakness;
- nausea;
- dizziness;
- temporary loss of vision;
- memory lapses;
- limping;
- spots on the skin of yellow color.
If cholesterol is high in the blood test, it is important to rethink lifestyle and change the diet.
Prohibited foods:
- fatty meat products;
- chicken egg yolk;
- high-fat milk;
- margarine;
- mayonnaise;
- offal;
- fat;
- fast food;
- confectionery;
- crackers, chips.
You need to focus on the content of saturated fats in foods, and not on cholesterol, because the human liver synthesizes "bad" cholesterol from them.
To reduce cholesterol, it is recommended to use regularly:
- greens;
- legumes;
- garlic;
- red fruits and vegetables;
- olive oil;
- seafood.
A he althy lifestyle, a balanced diet and proper rest will solve the problem of high cholesterol.
Lower cholesterol
Cholesterol below 3.0 mmol/l poses a serious he alth risk.
With its reduced content, the vessels weaken and burst - this is the main cause of hemorrhages, leading to death. Nerve fibers are deprived of a strong protective sheath, which threatens with depression, dementia, chronic fatigue, aggression.
People with lower cholesterol levels are more prone to cancerdiseases and deaths from various causes.
Hypocholesterolemia increases the risk of alcohol and drug addiction by 5 times. This is due to the fact that the psycho-emotional state of a person depends on the level of cholesterol, which can even lead to suicide.
The problem of cholesterol deficiency is very serious. First of all, it is important to exclude harmful addictions from your life and reconsider gastronomic habits. It is important to follow a diet and not eat foods that are prohibited for high cholesterol. In order not to bring to an excess of "bad" cholesterol, you need to eat greens and nuts more often.
Where to take cholesterol tests
Any lab can do this analysis. For a free procedure, you need to take a referral from your doctor and sign up for blood donation. As a rule, it takes a long time, so people are more likely to go to private clinics. By appointment (the registrar will always remind you how to properly donate blood for cholesterol), you can come to a medical clinic and undergo the procedure. The result is usually ready that day or the next. Independent laboratories also carry out blood sampling for cholesterol, most often on a first-come, first-served basis. The choice should be made in favor of an institution where blood sampling takes place quickly and comfortably, the result is promptly prepared and there is an optimal cost of the study.
