What it means
A blood test result that adds up the cholesterol carried in the blood by all the lipoproteins: LDL ("bad" cholesterol), HDL ("good" cholesterol) and the rest. It is reported with LDL, HDL and triglycerides in a lipid panel. A high level over years adds to plaque in the arteries (atherosclerosisath-er-oh-skluh-ROH-sisA buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) inside the walls of the arteries.ather/o fatty pastescler/o hard-osis conditionFull entry ), so it is used to judge the risk of heart disease and stroke.
For the nurse
Ask whether the client should fast before the test; many labs now accept a nonfasting sample, but some still want 9 to 12 hours without food. Teach heart-healthy eating, exercise, weight control and not smoking, and how to take a prescribed statin.
At a glance
| Normal range | Desirable: below 200 mg/dL [below 5.2 mmol/L]. Borderline high: 200–239 mg/dL [5.2–6.2 mmol/L]. High: 240 mg/dL or more [6.2 mmol/L or more]. |
|---|---|
| Spanish | colesterol total |
| Also written | cholesterol level, serum cholesterol, cholesterol levels |
Related terms
coronary artery disease
Narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, most often from fatty plaque buildup.
atherosclerosis
A buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) inside the walls of the arteries.