What is a cholesterol test?

A cholesterol test is a simple blood test that checks the cholesterol levels in your blood. This test is also called a fasting lipoprotein profile. A fasting lipoprotein profile measures: Total cholesterol (the total amount of cholesterol in your blood),  HDL (“good”) cholesterol (helps keep cholesterol from building up in your arteries), LDL (“bad”) cholesterol (main cause of buildup and blockage in your arteries), Triglycerides (another form of fat that may also lead to blockage in your arteries)A cholesterol test is done to evaluate a person’s risk for heart disease. Government guidelines state that healthy adults who are aged 20 years or older should have a cholesterol test done once every 5 years.

When to get tested?

If you already know you have heart disease (angina, heart attack), If there is a family history of high cholesterol, or of heart disease at an early age, If you are over 35 years old and have risk factors which puts you at an increased chance of developing heart disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or you are a smoker,If you are taking drugs to lower your cholesterol level.

A complete cholesterol test more accurately referred to as a lipid panel or lipid profile  includes a group of blood tests used to measure the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. Cholesterol tests are done to help assess your risk of coronary artery disease or risk of vascular disease in other parts of your body.Cholesterol and triglycerides are types of fats called lipids that naturally circulate in your blood. Although lipids are necessary for your body to function normally, too much fat in your blood increases your risk of heart or vascular disease.

What does a cholesterol test measure?

A cholesterol test measures the amount of cholesterol and other lipids carried by protein-based particles called lipoproteins, in the blood. Cholesterol and other lipids are transported in the blood in these lipoproteins because they are fats, and so don’t dissolve freely in blood, which is water based. These are some of the main lipid categories measured in a cholesterol test.Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: This is the so-called ‘bad’ cholesterol that tends to be deposited in the arteries, causing atherosclerosis. High levels of LDL cholesterol are associated with cardiovascular disease.High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol: As HDL helps carry cholesterol back to the liver, HDL cholesterol is sometimes known as ‘good’ cholesterol. Acting like a clean-up crew, HDL helps keep your arteries free of fatty deposits. It is advantageous to have high levels of HDL-cholesterol.

During the Procedure

During this procedure, a blood sample will be taken from a vein in your arm. To do so, a tourniquet (an elastic band) is tied around your arm just above the elbow. A needle is then inserted into a vein in your arm near the inside of your elbow. Once the needle is positioned, a small amount of blood is withdrawn and collected in a vial or a syringe. After the blood is collected, the needle is removed from the vein, and the tourniquet is removed from your arm. A small cotton ball is pressed over the puncture site to stop any bleeding. After the bleeding has stopped, a bandage is put on.

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