Cholesterol Screening: Who Should Get Tested and How Often?

High cholesterol can cause fatty deposits in your arteries which raises your risk of heart attack or stroke. Since high cholesterol isn’t something you can see or feel, the only way to diagnose high cholesterol is to take a cholesterol blood test.

How often do you need a cholesterol test? That depends primarily on your age, weight, lifestyle, and family history.

Early detection of high cholesterol can help prevent future heart disease which, if left untreated, can lead to serious events such as stroke or heart attack. Regular cholesterol tests can also determine if medical treatment and lifestyle changes are working to lower cholesterol levels.

In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of regular cholesterol screening for heart health.

blood test for cholesterol in Carshalton

What Is a Cholesterol Blood Test?


If you want to get a cholesterol screening, you need to take a cholesterol blood test (aka a lipid panel or lipid profile) to measure how much cholesterol and how many triglycerides you have in your blood. Essentially, these tests measure the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries. Excessive fatty build-up can clog arteries, making your body work harder to pump blood through your veins.

There are four different types of fats in your bloodstream, a cholesterol blood test will measure:

·         Total cholesterol

·         Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (bad cholesterol)

·         High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (good cholesterol)

·         Triglycerides. 

Your healthcare provider may prescribe a cholesterol blood test with fasting for more accurate results.

Who Should Get a Cholesterol Test?

The NHS recommends that women aged 55-65 and men aged 45-65 take a cholesterol test at least every 1 to 2 years. It is also recommended that seniors over 65 should get tested annually.  

Get your cholesterol tested regularly if you:

·         Have a family history of heart attacks, stroke, or high cholesterol

·         Are overweight.

·         Are physically inactive.

·         Have diabetes.

·         Eat an unhealthy diet.

·         Smoke cigarettes.

If you are currently undergoing treatment to lower cholesterol and are making healthy life changes such as getting fit, eating a balanced diet, and reducing stress – then you’ll want to find out if all the changes are making a positive change. Getting regular cholesterol tests in Sutton at Anna Pharmacy can help you monitor your progress.

If you live in the greater South London area, you can drop in for a blood test for cholesterol in Carshalton, Hackbridge, Croydon, or Sutton.

Find an Anna Pharmacy location nearest you at www.annapharmacy.com

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