Cholesterol Impairment Online Questionnaire
Cholesterol Impairment Printable Questionnaire
Cholesterol and triglycerides are fatty substances (lipids) found normally in the blood. A high level of lipids in the bloodstream is called hyperlipidemia, which is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease.
Hyperlipidemia can affect the heart in this way:
Cholesterol and other lipids build up in the inner lining of blood vessels
like rust in water pipes and, over time, close these vessels. The
narrowing of blood vessels, called arteriosclerosis, keeps oxygencarrying
blood from getting to the heart muscle. The result can be
severe chest pain and eventually heart attack.
To determine the risk of arteriosclerosis from hyperlipidemia, we measure total blood cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipoproteins. Lipoproteins transport cholesterol and other fats in the bloodstream. The two lipoproteins most frequently measured are low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) and high-density lipoproteins (HDLs). LDL seems to promote the deposit of cholesterol on artery walls. HDL, on the other hand, is thought to carry cholesterol away from the tissues.
The definition of a "high" cholesterol level varies from person to person, depending on specific lipoprotein levels. If LDL is present in the bloodstream in large quantities, the cholesterol it carries may be responsible for increasing the risk of heart disease. However, if the cholesterol in HDL accounts for a significant part of your cholesterol count, it may help protect you from heart disease.
Generally, an applicant with normal build and blood pressure, good family history, and a normal electrocardiogram be accepted with no rating for total cholesterols up to 299, if the HDL cholesterol exceeds 20. With cholesterols exceeding 299 or HDL levels less than 20, in the absence of other coronary risk factors, a minimum of Table B would be assessed. This Table B assessment for lipids may be removed if a current normal treadmill is available. Triglycerides, the other blood lipid, will generally be rated Table B when its level exceeds 500.
Non-fasting blood tests may affect lipid levels. Whenever possible, a fasting blood sample is preferred.