What if my cholesterol reading is high?
How
accurate is the CholesTrac® cholesterol test?
What can
I do to insure I'll get an accurate reading with the CholesTrac® cholesterol
test?
What can I do to make drawing the blood easier?
What does the purple color in the O.K. indicator and the green color in the END indicator mean?
Can both indicators change color without giving me a correct reading?
Do I need to fast before I take the test or perform it at a specific time of day?
What should I do if my cassette reading is above or below the limits of the Result Chart?
If I choose to repeat the test, what does it mean if my cholesterol level is different?
Will common foods, alcohol or medication affect my test result?
Cholesterol is naturally produced by your liver and some is provided by the food you eat. When your blood cholesterol rises above the desirable level, it may build up in your arteries and may put you at increased risk for heart disease or stroke. Cholesterol levels can be high because of your diet, the amount of exercise you get, being overweight and your family history.
Why is cholesterol so important?
High Cholesterol is one of the main risk factors for coronary heart disease that you can control. A risk factor is a habit, trait or condition in a person that may cause a greater chance of developing a disease. Other risk factors for heart disease that you can control are high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, being overweight and not exercising. Heart disease risk factors that you cannot control include diabetes, being male, or having a family history of heart disease. The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that all adults age 20 and over have their cholesterol measured.
What if my cholesterol reading is high?
If you have concerns about your result, it is best to call your doctor. However, remember these important points: 1. Any one cholesterol reading is never final because cholesterol can change from day to day and in response to several factors, such as weight loss, illness or stress. 2. Cholesterol is a risk factor that can be controlled. Many studies show that cholesterol is a risk factor that may be lowered by exercise and diet. Other factors that you can control include high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, being overweight and lack of exercise. 3. Any decisions about your risk factors for heart disease should not be made until you have had an exam by your doctor.
How accurate is the CholesTrac® cholesterol test?
The CholesTrac® cholesterol test is just as accurate as tests used by doctors and medical labs. In fact, a number of doctors use this same test in their offices. The CholesTrac® cholesterol test was evaluated in consumer studies throughout the U.S. When the instructions were followed carefully and all steps were performed correctly, the accuracy, on the average, was 97%.
What can I do to insure I'll get an accurate reading with the CholesTrac® cholesterol test
Read all the directions before you begin and follow them carefully. Be sure to:
What can I do to make drawing the blood easier?
What does the purple color in the O.K. indicator and the green color in the END indicator mean?
The purple color means that the test has begun to work. The green color means that the test is done and you can now read the cassette and use the Result Chart. Remember, only the END indicator turns green. The peak does not turn green. If you do not see color changes, call the Help Line (1-800-421-6736).
Can both indicators change color without giving me a correct reading?
Yes, both indicators may still work even if you do not follow the directions exactly. A false result may occur if:
Do I need to fast before I take the test or perform it at a specific time of day?
No. You can test yourself at any time, so fasting is not necessary. If you repeat the test, try to do so under the same conditions.
What should I do if my cassette reading is above or below the limits of the Result Chart?
If your cassette reading is not on the Chart call the Help Line or call your doctor.
If I choose to repeat the test, what does it mean if my cholesterol level is different?
Cholesterol levels can vary day to day within each person, so you should average your results.
Yes, especially if your result places you on the border of two groups. Because cholesterol does vary from day to day, the National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that at least two results be averaged before someone is classified. For example, in our consumer studies, where only one test was done, the CholesTrac® cholesterol test placed 13% of the people in a lower group than the laboratory test and 8% of the people in a higher group than the laboratory test. These results are similar to results from other studies where only one test was done.
Will common foods, alcohol or medication affect my test result?
Generally, no. Most substances will not interfere with the test. However, you should not perform the test within a four-hour period after you have taken 500mg or more of Vitamin C or a standard dose of acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol). This could cause a falsely low result.
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