Do you need a Cholesterol Monitor

Cholesterol monitors differ from a simple home testing kit. Many manufacturers claim that the monitor is as accurate as a doctors analysis so you can get instant (or about 3 minutes actually) data on the condition of your cholesterol. So how does a monitor work and who needs a monitor ?

A cholesterol monitor works in a similar fashion to a diabetes meter except that it measures the amount for cholesterol in the blood rather than glucose. Using the monitor is similar too. You prick your finger with a lancet or any other device. Most monitors come with a lancet, that is specifically designed to draw blood from a finger with minimal pain. You drop the blood on a test strip that is then inserted into the monitor. After about 3 minutes the display will show a number that is a blood cholesterol reading.

From this reading you can monitor if your cholesterol is up or down, whether your diet or medication is working or even what type of foods raise or reduce your cholesterol levels. Some brands of monitor can store hundreds of reading that can be shown to your doctor during a checkup. Others allow you to plug the data into a computer and plot various graphs.

A cholesterol monitor is generally used by someone that has already been diagnosed with high cholesterol. In this way they can keep their high cholesterol in check without having to visit the doctor. It can also motivate you to stick to a diet or exercise plan when it tells you that your cholesterol is not going down. It may even tell you that your diet is not working or that your medication is not working.

A good cholesterol monitor can be invaluable to anyone who is attempting to get control of his or her life and enjoy a higher degree of good health. Not only will the monitor help you know where you are today, but it can also help you see how far you have come. If you have high cholesterol, invest in a cholesterol monitor today; you will be glad you did.

For people that suspect that their cholesterol is high or are curious the best way to find out is to get a home cholesterol kit. These kits are considerably less expensive than a monitor but are only good for one reading. They are not as accurate as a monitor; if the kit says your cholesterol is high then you should consult a doctor for a clinical blood test.

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