Cholesterol Testing

Although cholesterol is often the result of an unhealthy lifestyle, it is also a family health issue. In other words, high cholesterol can be hereditary and if there is a history of high cholesterol in your family, you are at higher risk of developing it even from an early age.

What is Cholesterol?

A substance produced by your liver; cholesterol is a waxy substance with a fatty consistency which is essential for optimal health. Cholesterol is needed by your body for important functions like digesting foods with high fat content and making specific hormones.

Our bodies naturally produce the right amount of cholesterol that it needs to function and eating a diet high in fat adds to the cholesterol levels in the body. Unusually high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease.

Types of Cholesterol

• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) – Also known as “bad cholesterol”, high levels of LDL cholesterol may lead to a buildup of plaque in your arteries, increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke
• High-density lipoprotein (HDL) – Also known as “good cholesterol”, high levels of HDL can actually decrease your risk of heart disease and stroke
• Triglycerides – This is a type of fat in your blood that your body uses for energy
• Total cholesterol – This reflects the total amount of cholesterol in your body based on your HDL, LDL, and triglycerides readings

Importance of a Cholesterol Test

Cholesterol is one of the so-called “silent diseases”. This means that symptoms are not always visible and the disease evolves under the radar until it causes something like a stroke or heart attack.

With high cholesterol, fatty deposits build up inside your blood vessels, ultimately causing them to narrow. The result is that blood does not flow through your arteries as efficiently as they should and your tissues and organs are starved of nutrients.

When left untreated, these fatty deposits can break apart from the artery walls causing a clot that can travel towards your heart resulting in a heart attack. Furthermore, when your arteries are congested, your brain does not receive the blood and oxygen it needs to function. This lack of oxygen to the brain can lead to a stroke.

Heart attacks and strokes can have devastating effects and regular cholesterol screening with your doctor can detect signs of cholesterol, making early intervention possible.

Parkhealth Medical – Family Health Doctors in Cape Town

Our doctors in Cape Town offer professional medical care when it comes to family health. Feel free to contact us to book a cholesterol screening at one of our branches.

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