Read on for the latest information from experts. The facts: Cholesterol, which is often described as a fat-like, waxy substance, is essential to the human body, including playing a key role during fetal development. But too much can cause problems, namely contributing to clogged arteries and raising the risk of heart problems.

Because LDL and HDL are different, doctors no longer focus so closely on the total amount of cholesterol. The facts: The story has gotten more complicated. Leslie Cho, section head of preventive cardiology and rehabilitation at the Cleveland Clinic.

But the HDL story is more complex. Trials of experimental drugs for increasing HDL have not actually reduced heart events, and research has cast doubt on the idea that the higher the HDL levels, the better.

Pamir and colleagues published a study in November in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology that followed nearly 24, adults without heart disease over about a decade to measure biomarkers and track heart attacks and heart attack-related deaths.

And excessive alcohol use or metabolic disorders may lead to higher HDL levels but not to better health. Research into the intricacies of HDL by Pamir and others continues. Read More: What to Know About High Cholesterol in Kids.

The facts: Recommendations vary on when to start, but the AHA recommends that all low-risk adults ages 20 and older have their levels checked every four to six years. Screening will likely be more frequent if you have a family history or a personal history of heart disease.

And the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all children be screened for high cholesterol between the ages of 9 and 11—earlier if they have risk factors like a family history of early heart disease. Cholesterol is measured using a blood draw. Ask your doctor ahead of time to make sure.

The facts: To be sure, some influences on cholesterol are beyond your control. When women hit menopause and estrogen—which helps regulate lipid levels—wanes, their levels of LDL and triglycerides increase.

There are also racial differences. About 9. But there are definitely some things you can do to keep your cholesterol in check, such as exercising. Exercise also helps people sleep better and reduce stress, which can improve your heart and overall health.

Losing more weight was associated with larger improvements. Other heart risk factors include age older people are more at risk , male gender, diabetes, tobacco use, and obesity, according to the American Heart Association AHA.

Scott Wright, professor of cardiology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. The U. Department of Agriculture used to recommend consuming less than mg per dietary cholesterol per day.

It stopped recommending a specific level in the nutrition guidelines, in part because Americans were, on average, not significantly exceeding that.

The body also makes its own and can adjust to compensate if you eat more or less. That said, some people are highly sensitive to changes in their dietary cholesterol, and blood levels will fall dramatically if they lower their consumption, Cho says. Those include saturated fats from animal products including meat, butter, and dairy.

By contrast, unsaturated fats—which are liquid at room temperature—are beneficial. It can lower your chances of getting heart disease or having a stroke.

All adults age 20 or older should have their cholesterol and other traditional risk factors checked every four to six years.

If certain factors put you at high risk, or if you already have heart disease, your doctor may ask you to check it more often. Work with your doctor to determine your risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke and create a plan to reduce your risk.

Learn how to get your cholesterol tested. Your total cholesterol and HDL good cholesterol are among numerous factors your doctor can use to predict your lifetime or year risk for a heart attack or stroke. Your doctor will also consider other risk factors, such as age, family history, smoking status, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Lipid profile or lipid panel is a blood test that will give you results for your HDL good cholesterol, LDL bad cholesterol, triglycerides and total blood or serum cholesterol. Watch an animation about cholesterol score.

A healthy HDL-cholesterol level may protect against heart attack and stroke. Your doctor will evaluate your HDL and other cholesterol levels and other factors to assess your risk for heart attack or stroke. People with high blood triglycerides usually also have lower levels of HDL.

Genetic factors, Type 2 diabetes, smoking, being overweight and being sedentary can all lower HDL cholesterol. Women tend to have higher levels of HDL cholesterol than men do, but this can change after menopause. Since LDL is the bad kind of cholesterol, a low LDL level is considered good for your heart health.

LDL levels are one factor among many to consider when evaluating cardiovascular risk. Talk to your doctor about your LDL cholesterol level as well as other factors that impact your cardiovascular health. A diet high in saturated and trans fat is unhealthy because it tends to raise LDL cholesterol levels.

What Does My LDL Number Mean? PDF Spanish PDF. Why Should I Know My LDL Cholesterol? Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in your body.

They come from food, and your body also makes them. Normal triglyceride levels vary by age and sex. People with high triglycerides often have a high total cholesterol level, including a high LDL bad cholesterol level and a low HDL good cholesterol level.

Many people with metabolic syndrome or diabetes also have high triglyceride levels.