Cholesterol Level Test
What is a Cholesterol Level Test?
Blood cholesterol levels are measured with a simple blood test. A blood sample is taken and used to determine the amount of bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL) and triglycerides (other fatty substances) in your blood.
Before these tests, you may be asked not to eat for 10-12 hours before the tests including when you are asleep at night. This ensures that the food you have ingested is fully digested and does not affect the test.
A newer type of test that measures non-high density lipoprotein (non-HDL) is being used more often as its thought to be more accurate in estimating cardiovascular disease risk than LDL.
Who should be tested?
- You may have your blood cholesterol levels tested if you fit the following medical history/background:
- You have been diagnosed with coronary heart disease, stroke or mini stroke or peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
- You are over 40 years of age
- You have a family history of early cardiovascular disease
- You have a family member who has a cholesterol-related condition
- You are overweight or obese
- You have a high blood pressure or diabetes
- You have another medical condition such as kidney disease