NEWARK, NJ – AUGUST 13: A mans finger is pricked to test his cholesterol at the City of Newark’s free homeless health fair at the Department of Child and Family Well-Being on August 13, 2009 in Newark, New Jersey. The Department of Child and Family Well-Being in partnership with other health organizations gave free medical examinations to the homeless including screening for high blood pressure, cancer, and diabetes. (Photo by Rick Gershon/Getty Images)
Cholesterol check
If you are 20 years or older, you should have your cholesterol measured at least once every five years, doctors recommend. This test is done to basically assess your risk of developing heart disease or stroke. Women are believed to have high cholesterol levels which put them at about twice the risk of coronary heart disease as those without the condition. Your total cholesterol levels should ideally be less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl); a borderline high reading is between 200 and 239 mg/dl.
