How often should you check your cholesterol level?

The importance of monitoring cholesterol levels 

You will often hear that keeping an eye on your cholesterol levels is so important.

But why?

Well, high cholesterol levels are an important risk factor to think about for heart disease.

Simply put, high cholesterol increases the risk of plaques and fatty deposits (atherosclerosis) building up and clogging or blocking your arteries.

This can increase your risk of developing serious conditions like heart attacks and strokes.

And to make it more annoying, high cholesterol generally causes no symptoms.

So you won’t know what your cholesterol levels are unless they are checked.

This is why regularly checking your cholesterol levels is important. By finding any abnormalities in the cholesterol levels, these can be addressed and treated to prevent future disease. Quite simply, it could mean a longer and healthier life.

Think of this as part of your routine blood check up.

Note that “lipid” and “cholesterol” levels are often used interchangeably on this page as well as other resources.

What is tested?

A typical screening cholesterol test is done on a sample of your blood and includes:

• Total Cholesterol level – the complete or total level of cholesterol in your blood
• Low density lipoprotein (LDL) level – also known as the “bad” cholesterol
• High-density lipoprotein (HDL) level – also known as the “good” cholesterol as it could lower your risk of heart disease
• Triglyceride level – another type of cholesterol associated with heart disease

Some pathology (blood test labs) companies will offer some of the above and others extra cholesterol tests

The listed cholesterol measures are the fundamental tests allowing your doctor to analyse your personal profile and risk.

Doctors will also take into consideration your age, sugar level, blood pressure, gender, smoking status and family history among other things to assess your overall cardiovascular risk.

How is a cholesterol test done?

A cholesterol test is done on a sample of your blood.

To get an accurate result, cholesterol levels are usually done when you area fasting, meaning you have not had any food or liquid (except water) for about 9 to 12 hours prior to the test.

Ask your local collection lab or doctor for any specific requirements to ensure you get a reliable reading.

How often should you check your cholesterol level?

For healthy adults, guidelines worldwide generally recommend getting levels checked about every 5 years.

This is a bit of a simplification though as everyone is different.

Ask your doctor or cardiologist about how often you should do your lipid profile.

What kind of factors do we consider when deciding how often to check cholesterol?

Age

Age is an important factor to consider.

The 5 yearly cholesterol check up is usually based on someone who is a healthy adult without other risk factors.

Younger people may need their cholesterol levels checked less frequently.

On the other hand, males above 45 and females above 50 or 55 are often recommended to do the levels every year or every 2 years.

Gender

On average, men are recommended cholesterol checks more frequently.

But remember again, everyone is different and has a different risk profile.

Past Medical History

People with diabetes or pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, previously high cholesterol levels and smokers need to monitor their cholesterol more frequently.

This sometimes means yearly or even more frequently.

Family History of High Cholesterol

If you have a family history of high cholesterol, you will need to keep an eye on it more frequently.

As you can see, the answer is not always straightforward. Talk to your doctor.

Understanding your cholesterol result

Your cholesterol or lipid levels are an important marker of heart disease risk.

But they are not the only one. Your doctor will also think and consider other things – your blood pressure, medical history, age, gender and others. This will allow them to calculate your overall risk of heart disease.

There are specific guidelines and lipid targets to follow so it is important to talk to your doctor.

If you are found to have high cholesterol levels or a high risk of heart disease, your doctor may recommend some of the following:

• Healthy diet advice – an example of a good resource for eating tips (from Better Health)
• Regular exercise – at least 30 minutes of sustained exercise most days
• Limiting alcohol and in some cases, salt intake
• Keeping your weight in a healthy range
• Quitting smoking if you smoker
• In some cases, medications to lower cholesterol will be indicated

Look after your heart health

We recommend getting a routine check up with your doctor once a year at least. Sometimes this check will involve a blood test and a cholesterol check.

Irrespective of your cholesterol levels, aim to live a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a good diet to minimise your risk of future health issues.

In addition, encourage your family members and friends, especially those that may be at higher risk, to get their check ups done.

How often should you check your cholesterol level?

Let us know your suggestions in the comments below.

References

1. “Cholesterol Checks”, CDC – Center for Disease Control, accessed April 2022, available here 
2. “Cholesterol – healthy eating tips“, Better Health Channel, Department of Health, Victoria, Australia. Accessed April 2022, available here
3. “Cholesterol Test“, Mayo Clinic, accessed March 2022, available here
4. “Cholesterol“, Wikipedia, accessed May 2022, available here

The text written in this article on how often you should check your cholesterol level is meant for general informational purposes only. It is not to be used in any way as medical advice. Refer to your cardiologist or family doctor for all cholesterol monitoring and treatment advice. It can save your life. Ensure you agree with the terms of howoftenshould.com prior to use.