Private MD News

Experts recommend frequent cholesterol testing

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and in many other parts of the world. In order to assess this risk and help reduce the prevalence of the disease, doctors are recommending that more individuals seek regular cholesterol testing.

Cholesterol is considered to be one of the most accurate indicators of an individual's risk of developing heart disease. High levels of the substance can lead to clogged arteries, which increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Experts from the Mayo Clinic say that this is particularly true for older individuals, according to South Coast Today. Additionally, post-menopausal women are more likely to develop high cholesterol than others, which makes cholesterol testing particularly important for females in this age group.

They said that cholesterol testing should be conducted anywhere from once every three years for individuals who are in low-risk groups to every year for those who are higher risk.

Regular cholesterol testing may alert individuals to potentially dangerous changes in their heart health. When diagnosed early, doctors may be able to make lifestyle recommendations that could help prevent a deadly cardiovascular event.