Private MD News

Experts urge testing of both good and bad cholesterol

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

While knowing about all relevant risk factors for heart disease can lead individuals to make healthier lifestyle decisions, many doctors say that cholesterol testing that shows both good and bad cholesterol levels is one the most important things people can do to improve their heart health.

Many people believe that the lower their cholesterol is, the safer they are from heart attacks. But research has shown that high levels of a specific kind of cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, known as good cholesterol) can decrease the risk of heart disease.

Doctors say that when people know how much of each kind of cholesterol their body has they can make better informed decisions about their health.

"What I propagate is that people should know what their good and bad cholesterol is and how is it going to translate into heart attacks and brain attacks," Dr Suneet Verma, of the McGreevy Clinic in Sioux City told local ABC affiliate, KSFY.

Verma added that these tests can show who is at the highest risk of developing heart health problems.

Researchers believe that good cholesterol works to carry build-ups of bad cholesterol away from arteries and back toward the liver where it can be processed, according to the American Heart Association.