Blood test, lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides)

Procedure Information

What is a blood lipids test?

A complete cholesterol test, also known as a lipid profile, is a blood test that can measure the amount of triglycerides and cholesterol in your blood. It can help you determine your risk of developing plaques in your arteries that can lead to the narrowing of the arteries. This is known as atherosclerosis and it is the cause of heart disease. High cholesterol levels are a significant risk factor for coronary artery disease.

Why would I get a blood lipids test?

Adults with an average risk of developing heart disease should have their cholesterol checked every five years, beginning at age 18. Things that put you at higher risk of developing coronary artery disease include: 

• Diabetes mellitus
• Obesity
• Smoking 
• Being physically inactive
• A family history of heart attacks or elevated cholesterol
• Unhealthy food

A complete cholesterol test includes calculating four types of lipids in the blood: total cholesterol, which is a sum of your blood's cholesterol content, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides.

What happens during a blood lipids test?

A cholesterol test is like regular blood tests. It is done in the morning because you'll need to fast for accurate results. 

Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from your arm. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood is collected into a syringe or vial. Once enough blood is collected, the needle is removed and the puncture site is covered with a bandage. The procedure takes a couple of minutes and it is painless.

What to expect after a blood lipids test?

There are no precautions after your cholesterol test. You should be able to drive yourself home and do all your regular activities. If you have been fasting, you might want to bring a snack to eat after the test.

Conclusion

Results usually take less than 1 day. You should carefully read your LDL levels and triglycerides because they are the most important risk factors for developing heart disease. If your results show that your LDL cholesterol level or triglycerides are high, you might be able to lower your cholesterol with lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, exercising, and eating a healthy diet.

You should also see a doctor if your results are very high, especially if you are a high-risk person. An Internal medicine physician is the doctor to refer to.

Citations

Mayoclinic: High cholesterol