| Dr Andrew Binns, Having a fasting blood test means having blood taken first thing in the morning, before having anything to eat or drink. Blood collected in this way can be tested for a number of things that can indicate the degree of risk one may have of later having a heart attack or stroke or developing diabetes.
Such a test can be organised by a GP and the blood is analysed by a
pathology laboratory.
Your GP may order fasting lipids and sugar.
Fasting lipids
Fasting lipids are reported as total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL cholesterol. Whilst this can be a bit complicated and needs interpreting by a doctor, in general terms one may find some abnomalities such as high total and LDL cholesterol. This is a problem that may be helped by eating a low saturated fat diet as well as having exercise and controlling weight.
Similary high triglycerides may be helped by reducing sugars and alcohol
in the diet. HDL cholesterol protects the heart and helps clean out
blocked arteries, so we need high levels of that if possible. HDL levels
can be raised best by increasing one's activity levels. Another way is
by drinking one or two glasses of wine particularly red wine per day,
but not everyone will want to do this.
Fasting blood sugar level
The other significant measure is the fasting blood sugar level, which may
be normal or a bit raised. If it is raised this may be the first sign of
type 2 diabetes or at least a pre diabetic state.
Glucose tolerance test
A further test may be ordered called a glucose tolerance test, which can distinguish how severe or advanced this diabetic or pre diabetic condition is. The good news is that even if there is a problem with raised sugar levels, some dietary changes and increased activity levels can go a long way to reversing the
problem.
Lifestyle changes can help
In other words lifestyle changes can result in not only loss of weight, but improvement in the sugar and cholesterol levels in the blood, which can significantly reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
So consider having your GP check these levels particularly if you are:
- overweight,
- over the age of 55 years or 35 years if you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander,
- have a family history of diabetes,
- have high blood pressure,
- have high blood sugars when pregnant,
- have previously had a heart attack, angina, stroke or for women, polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Diabetes, heart attacks and strokes are to a large degree preventable with lifestyle changes and sometimes with the help of medications.
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