▸ THE EXPERT: CHRISTOPHER KELLY, M.D., is the chairman of cardiology at UNC Rex Healthcare. He specializes in the diagnosis and management of heart and vascular disease.
THE BASICS
EVEN IF YOU THINK you’re healthy, the following tests tell you how proactive you need to be about changing your lifestyle or taking medications.
CHOLESTEROL PANEL
This blood test measures total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL (“bad” cholesterol), and HDL (“good” cholesterol). Most doctors focus on LDL, which has been most closely tied to the risk of heart attack and stroke. Your specific LDL goal depends on how many risk factors you have for heart disease, but a level greater than 130
