The Basics About the Cholesterol Test A blood test is the only way to tell whether you have high cholesterol.
- You need a test because high cholesterol may not cause symptoms for years. But if you have it, whether you know it or not, you may be damaging your arteries.
- Most healthy adults need the test at least every 5 years. Your doctor can tell you how often you need one.
- The screening test for cholesterol levels doesn't take much time - it's a simple blood test that checks your total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and HDL. But you do need to fast beforehand. That means you can't eat or drink anything except water or coffee or tea with no milk, cream, or sugar for 9 to 12 hours before you have the blood test.
The only way to know whether your cholesterol is too high is to have the level of cholesterol in your blood tested. The National Cholesterol Education Program of the National Institutes of Health recommends that adults older than age 20 have their cholesterol tested at least once every 5 years. Some adults need the test more often. Some children need it as well. To find out when you need a cholesterol test, seeShould I Be Tested for High Cholesterol? and talk with your doctor.
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