Cholesterol is perhaps the most misused word in our health dictionary. Quite often, we use this word to state the issues a person is facing health-wise and why he or she does not have a “fit” lifestyle. While yes, bad cholesterol levels as depicted in your cholesterol chart can surely show that you may stand a higher risk of developing heart-related ailments or may be at an increased risk of a stroke, the fact is that it is not as bad as it may sound. A good lifestyle and a proper diet are all that it takes (really) to keep cholesterol levels under check and lead a healthy life.

Managing cholesterol levels in your body is not a temporary thing. You don’t do it when you are faced with a problem, when you see your cholesterol levels rising, or when you are actually facing the complications that high cholesterol levels can lead up to. Managing cholesterol levels is a way of life. This applies to everyone, but yes, there can be a few people who are at an increased risk. For them, it becomes essential to be very particular in having the right lifestyle that significantly follows the cholesterol chart and maintains the right cholesterol balance in the body. To do all of this and to adopt this “cholesterol-friendly” lifestyle, you should first understand what this cholesterol is and what can cause its level in your body to fluctuate.

What is cholesterol?
In simple terms, cholesterol is a type of fat that all human beings have. It can be found in all human bodies as a part of the cell membranes, steroid hormones, bile acids, and lipoproteins. This cholesterol is available in two forms – one that is produced by the body itself and the other that is introduced into the body through diet.

Total cholesterol is the sum of all cholesterol levels in your body. When you have this cholesterol in excessive levels, you are definitely at an increased risk of a heart attack because the excessive fat (cholesterol) tends to block the arteries and veins that carry blood to and from the heart. People are hence advised to always keep the cholesterol chart in their mind and watch out for any symptoms that may indicate that they have a high cholesterol level. Remember that you may not have too much control on the cholesterol that is produced by your body (most particularly, liver). However, you can definitely keep a tab on the cholesterol that you are consuming, and this is where the importance of a cholesterol chart comes in to play.

How to check your cholesterol levels
Considering the kind of lifestyle most people lead today, everyone over the age of 20 is advised to get their cholesterol levels checked or tested at least every five years. For people who have a family history of high cholesterol levels, heart ailments or who are ardent smokers may need to be more vigilant in checking their cholesterol levels as they are at a higher risk of having increased cholesterol in their blood. To check the cholesterol levels against the cholesterol chart, a blood test called the lipoprotein panel is prescribed. This blood test (conducted after fasting for 9 to 12 hours) gives information about the following elements.

• Total cholesterol level
• LDL (Bad cholesterol)
• HDL (good cholesterol)
• Triglycerides

The above components are all clearly shown in the cholesterol chart with their desirable, borderline, and high levels. The doctor can then help in identifying your problem area and deal with your issue in the right manner.

Factors that affect cholesterol levels
The cholesterol that you consume can definitely be monitored and controlled. Here are a few regular things associated with your life that may have a significant impact on your cholesterol levels.

• Diet
  Your diet is the important element that you need to keep a check on. It’s a no-brainer that the saturated fats in your food can add up your cholesterol levels, so you should be mindful of eating such foods.
• Obesity
  Often a direct cause of your diet but maybe not always, obesity is another significant factor. Being overweight also tends to increase your cholesterol levels. Working on your weight and getting as close as possible to your apt BMI can help in lowering your blood cholesterol levels.
• Sedentary lifestyle
  A lack of physical activity implies you are not giving your body an opportunity to burn fat. This accumulated fat is directly in proportion to the increased cholesterol in your blood.

It is true that everybody needs a certain amount of cholesterol to function efficiently. However, too much cholesterol in blood combined with other fatty substances can be seriously damaging. Hence, regular cholesterol testing should be followed by those who seem to be prone to high cholesterol levels. The regular testing will ensure that the cholesterol chart is looked into and preventive measures are taken immediately. After all, your health is always in your hands!