Maintaining good heart health is crucial. The heart is a muscle that is constantly in use and works to keep our bodies moving and living. However, heart health can be complicated and when there are health issues present within this muscle, they are not always obvious or symptomatic. Often, people may think that it is only possible to check your heart health if instructed by your GP when concern is raised. However, that is not necessarily true. You can check cholesterol at home and receive a report on your heart health via blood sample. Here is a brief guide on heart cholesterol checks.
What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a substance found in blood. The substance is often explained as ‘fatty’ and ‘waxy’. Our bodies need cholesterol in order to function as it is used for building cells as well as hormones. Although, there is a very common health issue with having increased cholesterol levels, which can lead to serious heart problems.
HDL Cholesterol
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) can be labelled as ‘good’ cholesterol as it plays the role of transporting cholesterol to your liver, to exit your body. With this action, it stops the fatty substance from building up in your heart arteries, causing poor heart health.
LDL Cholesterol
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is known as ‘bad’ cholesterol found in the body as it transports cholesterol directly to your arteries which can cause build up.
What Are the Risks of High LDL Cholesterol Levels?
There are common risks associated with high cholesterol levels found through a blood test. The problem with these risks, are that they are asymptomatic before they occur. You will not be aware of your cholesterol levels unless there is a blood test taken and examined in a lab. Risks of this may be:
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Cardiovascular disease/illnesses
- Memory loss
How To Check Cholesterol at Home
It has now been made easy to check your heart health at home. You can purchase an at-home heart cholesterol test online and carry out the blood test at home. There will be instructions and guidance provided to you to ensure this procedure is carried out correctly. Once you have taken your blood sample, you can send it off to a lab where it will be tested. You can then receive results within a certain time frame (usually a few working days).
Checking your cholesterol levels can save you from experiencing serious health issues. If the results are a cause for concern, you can schedule a doctor’s appointment where they will take the next steps. It is possible for daily habits and lifestyle choices to change cholesterol levels.
Final Words
Take a cholesterol test at home today and find out your heart health levels. You have the ability to stop irreversible damage before it’s too late. Check online today to see where you can purchase your heart health check.
