The body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids that help to digest fat. Too much cholesterol in your bloodstream can lead to narrowing of arteries in the body that cause heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral artery disease.
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/understanding_your_cholesterol_level/article_em.htm
An optimal level of LDL is less than 100. HDL cholesterol is the good cholesterol because a high HDL level decreases your risk of cardiovascular disease. For men, an HDL less than 40 is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. For women, an HDL less than 50 is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.2.
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/110/11/e296.long
Diagnosing high cholesterol. Blood cholesterol levels are measured with a simple blood test. A blood sample is taken that will be used to determine the amount of bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL) and other fatty substances (triglycerides) in your blood.
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cholesterol/Pages/Diagnosis.aspx
This test measures total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides. Your health-care professional will be able to help you interpret the blood test results to determine if your cholesterol levels are normal or require treatment.
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/understanding_your_cholesterol_level/article_em.htm
Getting a cholesterol test. A blood sample is taken that will be used to determine the amount of bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL) and other fatty substances (triglycerides) in your blood.
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cholesterol/Pages/Diagnosis.aspx
Check out these tips to lower cholesterol with lifestyle changes: 1  Reduce all fats in your diet. Pay particular attention to saturated fats.  Try to exercise 30 minutes a day. Go for a walk around the block after lunch or dinner, spend time in the garden, or ride bikes with the kids.
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/understanding_your_cholesterol_level/article_em.htm
High blood cholesterol can lead to heart attack. stroke, and peripheral artery disease. 1  Reduce all fats in your diet. Pay particular attention to saturated fats.  Try to exercise 30 minutes a day. Go for a walk around the block after lunch or dinner, spend time in the garden, or ride bikes with the kids.
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/understanding_your_cholesterol_level/article_em.htm
Your GP may recommend that you have your blood cholesterol levels tested if you: 1  have been diagnosed with coronary heart disease, stroke or mini-stroke (TIA), or peripheral arterial disease (PAD)  are over the age of 40 – people over 40 should have their estimate of CVD risk reviewed regularly.
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cholesterol/Pages/Diagnosis.aspx
1 Reduce all fats in your diet. Pay particular attention to saturated fats.  Try to exercise 30 minutes a day. Go for a walk around the block after lunch or dinner, spend time in the garden, or ride bikes with the kids. If you can't get in 30 minutes, remember that any exercise is better than none.
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/understanding_your_cholesterol_level/article_em.htm
Everyone age 20 years or more should have cholesterol measured at least once every 5 years. The best way to measure cholesterol is with a blood test called a lipid panel or lipid profile. You will need to fast (not eat) for 9 to 12 hours before your lipid panel.
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/110/11/e296.long
what is the normal measure for cholesterol
Lipid panel is the normal measure for cholesterol.