If you are 20 years old or older, The American Heart Association recommends that you have your cholesterol checked. If your test results show a cholesterol level within the borderline range— 200 to 230 milligrams per deciliter— you should have a second test done and average the two results. If the average of the two tests still indicates that you are in the high-risk group, you should begin immediate steps to lower your cholesterol level. A few changes in your diet may be all that’s needed to bring your blood cholesterol level down into a safe range.
If your cholesterol level is in the borderline-high range you should be tested once a year. If your is cholesterol level is 240 or higher, prompt medical attention is advised. However, if your cholesterol reading is below 200 mg/dl, you are within the desirable range, and need only be tested every five years or so, along with regular health care as appropriate.
Both The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the American Heart Association have determined that a relatively safe level of cholesterol is under 200 milligrams per deciliter of blood. The high-risk range is 240 mg/dl or above. More than half of all adult Americans are believed to be over the borderline-high cholesterol level of more than 200 mg/dl.
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