Definition
Components
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                Data Element ConceptPerson—cholesterol level- 
                        Object ClassPerson
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                        PropertyCholesterol level
 
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                Value DomainTotal millimoles per litre N[N].N
Representation
This representation is based on the value domain for this data element, more information is available at " Total millimoles per litre N[N].N ".| Data Type | Number | 
|---|---|
| Format | N[N].N | 
| Maximum character length | 3 | 
| Value | Meaning | Start Date | End Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supplementary Values | 99.9 | Not stated/inadequately described. | 
Comments
Guide for use:
Measurement in mmol/L to 1 decimal place.
Record the absolute result of the total cholesterol measurement. When reporting, record whether or not the measurement of Cholesterol-total - measured was performed in a fasting specimen.
Origin:National Heart Foundation of Australia and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, Lipid Management Guidelines - 2001, MJA 2001; 175: S57-S88
National Health Priority Areas Report: Cardiovascular Health 1998. AIHW Cat. No. PHE 9. HEALTH and AIHW, Canberra.
The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia web based Manual of Use and Interpretation of Pathology Tests
Comments:In settings where the monitoring of a person's health is ongoing and where a measure can change over time (such as general practice), the Service contact—service contact date, DDMMYYYY should be recorded.
High blood cholesterol is a key factor in heart, stroke and vascular disease, especially coronary heart disease.
Poor nutrition can be a contributing factor to heart, stroke and vascular disease as a population's level of saturated fat intake is the prime determinant of its level of blood cholesterol.
Large clinical trials have shown that people at highest risk of cardiovascular events (e.g. pre-existing ischaemic heart disease) will derive the greatest benefit from lipid lowering drugs. For this group of patients, the optimum threshold plasma lipid concentration for drug treatment is still a matter of research. In May 1999 the PBS threshold total cholesterol concentration, for subsidy of drug treatment, was reduced from 5.5 to 4.0 mmol/L. (Australian Medical Handbook).