A complete cholesterol blood test, also known as a lipid panel or profile, is a blood test that measures the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. It is an important diagnostic tool that can help indicate patients at high risk of coronary artery disease.
High cholesterol is extremely dangerous, but often causes no signs or visible symptoms. A simple blood test is enough to highlight whether you might have cause for concern.
A complete cholesterol blood test is usually recommended to determine whether your cholesterol levels in your blood are elevated and to gauge how at risk of heart disease and heart attacks you may be.
What does it measure?
A complete cholesterol panel tests four types of fat in your blood:
- Total cholesterol: the sum of your blood’s cholesterol content
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol – is often referred to as the ‘bad’ cholesterol. Too much IDL cholesterol in your blood can cause the build-up of plaques (fatty deposits) in your arteries, which would reduce the blood flow. These plaques can occasionally rupture and lead to a heart attack or stroke.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. This is what is known as the ‘good cholesterol. The HDL helps carry the LDL cholesterol away, keeping arteries open and blood flowing healthily.
- Triglycerides are a type of fat in the blood. When you eat, your body changes the calories it does not need into these triglycerides, which are then stored in fat cells. High triglyceride levels are associated with several factors, such as obesity, alcohol, smoking or having diabetes with elevated blood sugar levels.
Who should get tested for cholesterol?
Men, between the ages of 45 to 65 years old, are recommended a screening every one to two years, whereas women between the ages of 55 and 65 are recommended this bi-annually screening. All people over the age of 65 should have annual cholesterol screening.
However, more frequent testing may be required if your first test came back abnormally, or if you are already at risk of coronary artery disease. Additionally, if you are taking a cholesterol-lowering medication, or fall into the following categories, you may need more regular screening:
- Have a family history of high cholesterol or heart attacks
- Are overweight
- Are physically inactive
- Have diabetes
- Eat an unhealthy diet
- Smoke cigarettes
The testing process for a cholesterol blood test
In some instances, your health care professional may ask you to fast, or not to eat for 12 hours prior to your Cholesterol Blood Test. It is important to follow your healthcare professional’s advice.
A Cholesterol blood test is very low risk and takes place much like a normal blood test. It usually only lasts five minutes.
Should you want to book a Cholesterol Blood Test or any of our other blood tests, please contact us today.
Blood tests are ordered by the doctor as needed, based on the patient’s symptoms and concerns. Occasionally alternate or additional tests may be required for accurate diagnosis.
