Blessing Health: Reservations available for no-cost health screening

Reservations available for no-cost health screening

Reservations are now being taken for a no-cost cholesterol screening that will take place on Thursday, July 13, hosted by Blessing Health.

The screening requires a 12-hour fast. It measures HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose levels.

Appointments are required and are available between 7 and 9 am. Make an appointment by going online to events.blessinghealth.org or calling 217-277-5000.  The screening will be done at the Blessing Resource Center, 420 N. 34^th Street, Quincy.

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.