A cholesterol test is a blood test that measures the amount of cholesterol and certain fats in your blood. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that's found in your blood and every cell of your body. You need some cholesterol to keep your cells and organs healthy.
Your liver makes all the cholesterol your body needs. But you can also get cholesterol from the foods you eat, especially meat, eggs, poultry, and dairy products. Foods that are high in dietary fat can also make your liver produce more cholesterol.
There are two main types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) , or "bad" cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) , or "good" cholesterol.
Too much LDL cholesterol in your blood increases your risk for coronary artery disease and other heart diseases . High LDL levels can cause the buildup of a sticky substance called plaque in your arteries. Over time, plaque can narrow your arteries or fully block them. When this happens, parts of your body don't get enough blood:
- If the blood flow to the heart is blocked, it can cause a heart attack .
- If the blood flow to the brain is blocked, it can cause a stroke .
- If the blood flow to the arms or legs is blocked, it can cause peripheral artery disease .
Other names for a cholesterol test: Lipid profile, Lipid panel