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Why would I need this test?
You should get your blood cholesterol tested because cholesterol levels have a lot to do with your chances of getting heart disease. The higher your blood cholesterol, the greater your risk for developing coronary heart disease (CHD) and having a heart attack. Since people with high blood cholesterol levels may have no symptoms, the only way to know if your cholesterol is elevated is to have it checked. Everyone 20 and older should have cholesterol measured routinely. If your cholesterol is high or if you are taking medication to lower your cholesterol, you will need to have it checked more often.
How is this test performed?
A needle is inserted into a vein (usually in the crook of your arm) and blood is drawn and collected in a tube. The blood is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.
How can I prepare for this test?
For testing your total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol level, you do not need to fast. For a complete look at your lipid profile, including HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol, LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol and triglycerides, you will need to fast for nine to 12 hours prior to the test.
What types of measurements are made?
You can have only your total cholesterol level tested or a complete "lipid profile," which includes four measurements; your total cholesterol, your LDL (bad) cholesterol, which is the main source of cholesterol buildup and blockage in the arteries; your HDL (good) cholesterol, which helps keep cholesterol from building in the arteries; and triglycerides, another form of fat in your blood.
What do the numbers mean?
The American Heart Association uses the following standards when evaluating test results:
Total cholesterol in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL):
Less than 200 is desirable
200 to 239 is borderline high
240 and above is high
LDL cholesterol level (mg/dl):
Less than 100 is optimal
100 to 129 is near optimal/above optimal
130 to 159 is borderline high
160 to 189 is high
190 and above is very high
HDL cholesterol level (mg/dL)*:
Less than 40 mg/dL is low in men and less than 50 mg/dL is low in women
60 mg/dL or more helps lower your risk for heart disease
*Higher HDL numbers are better
Triglycerides (mg/dL):
150 to 199 mg/dL is borderline
200 mg/dL or more is high
What might an undesirable result indicate?
High levels may mean an increased risk of:
- Coronary heart disease
- Stroke
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
Would a child need a cholesterol test?
As many as 70 percent of children have fatty deposits in their arteries by the time they reach age 12. Because of mounting evidence that elevated cholesterol levels in children play a role in the development of adult heart disease, it is generally recommended that the total cholesterol level of children 2 and older be measured if there is a history of coronary artery disease or high blood cholesterol in parents or grandparents.
Guidelines for cholesterol levels in children and adolescents 2 to 19 years old are as follows:
Total cholesterol (mg/dL):
Less than 170 is acceptable
170-199 is borderline
200 or greater is high
LDL cholesterol (mg/dL):
Less than 100 is acceptable
110-129 is borderline
130 or greater is high
What should I know about home cholesterol tests?
Home tests to measure your total and HDL cholesterol level are available without a prescription. They are easy to use and require only one or two drops of blood from your fingertip. They provide a reading of total cholesterol in less than 15 minutes. However, the American Heart Association hasn't taken a position on cholesterol home-testing devices. You should not use a home test if you are hemophiliac or if you take medicine to thin blood because of the possibility of increased bleeding following the finger prick. Have your cholesterol checked by your physician instead.
How is high cholesterol treated?
Elevated blood cholesterol is one of several conditions that can increase your risk of developing CHD. If your cholesterol levels are high, your physician will recommend some modifications in lifestyle. Diet can have a direct impact on cholesterol levels. By adhering to a diet lower in saturated fat, you may be able to reduce your cholesterol levels. If you are overweight, losing weight may also result in lower cholesterol levels. When lifestyle modifications fail to lower cholesterol levels to a desirable level, or when other risk factors for heart disease are also present, your physician may prescribe medication to lower your cholesterol level.
This article was reviewed and updated
June 2007.
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