The Cholesterol Test Panel can help evaluate the health of your heart and arteries. The panel measures lipids: LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, and triglycerides (the fat in blood). The results can be an important part of evaluating your overall health. High lipid levels usually have no symptoms, and some people can have high lipid levels for years without knowing it. That's why it's so important to get tested regularly.
Fasting for 8-12 hours before the appointment is strongly recommended, but not required. Fasting before having your blood drawn means that you don't eat or drink anything except water.
This test may be helpful for those who:
- Have never checked your lipid levels or haven't checked them in several years
- Have a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease
- Have high blood pressure
- Have diabetes
- Are overweight or obese
- Eat a diet high in fat, processed foods, or sugar
- Don't get enough physical activity
- Smoke or use tobacco
For adults who want to learn even more about their health, includes everything in the Cholesterol Test Panel, as well as other tests that can provide an overall view of health including potential issues such as kidney disease.
