Take the Cholesterol Quiz

Do you know if you have high cholesterol and what the risks are?

Do you know the risks of having high cholesterol? | MSU Extension
Do you know the risks of having high cholesterol? | MSU Extension

Chronic diseases and conditions—such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, obesity and arthritis—are among the most common, costly and preventable of all health problems. Having high blood cholesterol levels can greatly increase your risk for chronic disease.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that your body needs. When you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it can build up on your artery walls. Too much cholesterol puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death in the United States. But you can take steps to manage your cholesterol levels and lower your risk.  Michigan State University Extension encourages you to take the cholesterol quiz:

Answer true or false.

  1. Only adults need to have their cholesterol checked. Children can't have high cholesterol.
  2. I should know my total blood cholesterol number.
  3. If I have high cholesterol, the only thing I can do about it is take medication.
  4. High cholesterol levels put me at risk for atherosclerosis?
  5. Thin people don’t have to worry about high cholesterol.

Quiz feedback

  1. False. Compelling evidence shows that the atherosclerotic process (buildup of fatty plaque in arteries) starts in childhood and progresses slowly into adulthood.
  2. True. Your total cholesterol score is calculated using the following equation: HDL + LDL + 20 percent of your triglyceride level. With HDL (good) cholesterol, higher levels are better. A low LDL (bad) cholesterol level is considered good for your heart health. Triglyceride is a form of fat.
  3. False. Before starting on medication, your physician will probably address your diet, exercise and smoking habits.
  4. True.  High cholesterol levels put you at risk for atherosclerosis (fatty buildups of plaque in artery walls). These deposits can contribute to blocking the blood flow to a part of the heart muscle and cause a heart attack.
  5. False. Any type of body can have high cholesterol. Overweight people are more likely to have high cholesterol, but thin people should also have their cholesterol checked regularly. 

Facts about high cholesterol 

  • There are no signs or symptoms of high cholesterol!
  • Getting your cholesterol checked with a simple blood test is the only way you can know if you are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease.

Visit WebMD to learn which foods are high in cholesterol.  For more articles on cholesterol visit http://msue.anr.msu.edu/pages/search_results?query=cholesterol.

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