Reservations available for no-cost cholesterol screening July 13 at Blessing Resource Center

QUINCY — Reservations are being taken for people to get no-cost cholesterol screenings on Thursday, July 13 at the Blessing Resource Center, 420 N. 34th.

The screening requires at 12-hour fast. It measures HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose levels. Appointments are required and are available from 7-9 a.m. An appointment can be made by going online to events.blessinghealth.org or calling 217-277-5000.

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

A cholesterol test measures:

• 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.