Should you be tested? How often? : cholesterol
Posted on October 8th, 2009 in Health News
Canadian guidelines on the most recent cholesterol recommended dosage of cholesterol in the following cases:
men over 40 years
Women over 50 years
postmenopausal women (all ages)
Diabetic
People with abdominal obesity (waist circumference greater than 102 cm for men or 88 cm for women – exist lower threshold values for the people of South Asian or East Asian
Smoking
People with hypertension
people with strong family history, that is to say, including family members showed heart disease to a relatively young age (under 55 years for men and less than 65 years for women)
people with physical signs of hypercholesterolemia, such as yellow lesions under the skin or grayish circle around the cornea (the transparent layer of eye)
People with atherosclerosis (narrowing and hardening of the arteries)
people suffering from chest pain on exertion
people whose breath is not normal under the circumstances
men with symptoms of erectile dysfunction (difficulty getting or keeping an erection)
people with chronic kidney disease
People with lupus erythematosus
For those in the groups above, it should make the determination of cholesterol in 1 to 3 years, or more often if the values are abnormal or if treatment is initiated. Your doctor will determine a timetable for the determination of cholesterol based on your age, your general health and whether or not you take a cholesterol-lowering medication (medication to lower your cholesterol).
Your doctor will usually check your blood cholesterol 6 weeks after beginning treatment with a new drug or after a change in dose. Once the appropriate dose is reached, the tests will be every 6 to 12 months.
Even if you do not belong to any of these groups, your doctor may decide to measure your cholesterol if it deems appropriate.
The cholesterol test helps your doctor assess your risk of heart disease and to determine if your treatment is working. Ask your doctor if your blood cholesterol should be measured and, if so, what should be your target cholesterol levels.
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