Appointments available for no-cost health screening at Illini Community Hospital on March 12

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Reservations are being taken for no-cost cholesterol screenings on Tuesday, March 12, by Illini Community Hospital at the Illini Fitness Center, 128 W. Washington.

The screening requires a 12-hour fast to measure HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose levels. Appointments are required and available between 7:30 and 9:15 a.m. An appointment can be made online at https://events.blessinghealth.org/ and search “cholesterol screening” or by calling 217-277-5000.

A cholesterol test provides important information about a person’s risk of developing heart disease. A person can take steps to lower their LDL or “bad” cholesterol level and decrease their risk of developing heart problems in the future. A cholesterol test measures the following:

• LDL levels. Also known as “bad” cholesterol, LDL is the main source of blockages in the arteries.
• HDL levels. Considered “good” cholesterol, HDL helps get rid of LDL cholesterol.
• Triglyceride levels. Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood. Some studies show that high levels of triglycerides may increase the risk of heart disease, especially in women.

A blood glucose test is used to find out if a person’s blood sugar levels are in a healthy range. It is often used to help diagnose and monitor diabetes. A person with diabetes is twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke than someone who does not have diabetes and at a younger age.