Regular blood cholesterol testing is recommended for all adults aged 45 years and over, and also for younger adults with a family history of heart disease, who have high blood pressure or who smoke.
Follow-up testing frequency will vary depending on your age, level of risk and your doctor’s advice. People over 45 at lower risk may not require another blood test for five years whereas those at higher risk may require annual testing. Testing may be required more often, for example, in the first few months after commencing treatment with cholesterol-lowering medications.
The blood test measures.
. Your total blood cholesterol
. Your HDL (good) cholesterol
. Your LDL (bad) cholesterol
. Your triglyceride levels
Cholesterol levels are measured in units called millimoles per litre of blood (mmol/L). Depending on what is being measured, your doctor will advise you if you need to fast before your blood test.
Generally, the lower your blood cholesterol levels the better. This is especially true for people with other risk factors or with coronary heart disease. For example, a total of blood cholesterol level of 4.5 mmol/L is better than 5.5 mmol/L and a blood triglyceride level of 1.5 mmol/L is better than 2.0 mmol/L for women. Level of 6.5mmol/L for men and 5.4mmol/L for women. Levels of 6.5mmol/L or more indicate high risk.