Cholesterol is basically a steroid found in the cell membranes and is lipid and waxy in nature. Blood plasma carries cholesterol, a product made by the liver, considered to be the most prolifically present sterol in human tissues. Since cholesterol does not dissolve in the blood and high levels of it can clog the blood vessels, cholesterol testing is very important.

There are two types of cholesterol which can be put into simple terms as harmful and harmless cholesterol. The harmful one is Low Density Lipo Protein which circulates in the blood combining other substances and making the blood thick causing a heart attack. On the other hand the HDL cholesterol takes excess cholesterol to the liver and keeps a check on the blood not allowing it to thicken. This process avoids heart attacks.

Cholesterol testing is being practiced in many prominent institutions and smaller institutions as well. The most important of them are the American College of Preventive Medicine and the American Association of Family Physicians. They follow the NCEP guidelines strictly for cholesterol testing. However, the American College of Physicians are of the opinion that there is an unwarranted cholesterol measurement in men and young adults.

According to the NCEP program all persons should be tested for cholesterol once in 5 years. However, they insist that an accurate and precise measurement of blood cholesterol is important to avoid unwanted heart attacks. For this purpose the NCEP set up a Cholesterol Reference Method of Laboratory Network that helps control heart diseases due to cholesterol.

Though cholesterol testing can be done once in five years for a normal person, it is highly recommended that patients with high cholesterol level, smokers, diabetics, hypertension patients and those who have crossed the age of 50 should have frequent check ups for cholesterol level. This results in the control of heart diseases and avoidance of heart attacks.

Cholesterol screening in children is good but for those above 20 regular tests is not necessary. Obese persons are highly liable for cholesterol and their lipid profile should be taken early and regularly.

If the testing results for cholesterol show a reading like 200mg/dl it is considered normal, 200-239mg/dl too is considered border level and needs caring. But when it crosses above 240mg/dl immediate action needs to be taken to avoid heart attacks. To maintain a perfect cholesterol count much care and attention needs to be taken in the intake of specific foods that contain excess amount of fat.