A cholesterol blood test checks the amount of bad cholesterol (LDL), good cholesterol (HDL), and other fats called triglycerides in the blood. It helps determine the risk of developing stroke or heart disease (cardiovascular disease).
A cholesterol test is vital in health screenings, and your doctor may recommend a health screening to determine why you aren’t feeling well. You shouldn’t have to worry about determining which blood test you need because our doctor at Medical Express Clinic will inform you of the necessary tests and why you need them.
Our blood tests are available at a same-day appointment with fast turnaround times. The doctor will also explain what your test results mean and advise you on the next steps based on your results.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance, also called a lipid, produced in different body areas, but mostly in the liver. Our body needs some cholesterol to be healthy, but excess of it can cause problems. Excess cholesterol can sit in small arteries and block them.
A cholesterol blood test involves checking lipids or cholesterol in the blood. They include:
Cholesterol is found in the blood, so the test for cholesterol requires a blood test. The doctor or nurse will draw a small blood sample from your body during a blood test. This can be done using a small needle and syringe or pricking your finger. The blood will be tested for cholesterol.
The healthcare professional can determine if you have a low, moderate, or high risk of having a stroke or developing heart disease in the next ten years by checking your cholesterol levels and also considering the following.
This information allows the healthcare professional to calculate your risk of certain health problems and cholesterol levels. If you have high cholesterol levels, they will discuss how to lower it to healthy levels.
Your doctor may advise fasting the night before your test.
This is a simple blood test. The medical professional will insert a needle into a vein, usually on the inner arm, close to the elbow, to draw a small amount of blood. This may cause a slight scratching or pricking sensation.
Blood
A cholesterol test result has several numbers and measures covering your total cholesterol. Total cholesterol includes
A cholesterol test also gives information about
Below is a guide for the recommended cholesterol level, although these levels may differ if you have any pre-existing health conditions adversely affecting cholesterol levels. Your GP can advise you on the most suitable cholesterol levels depending on your case.
| Result |
Healthy Level (mmo/L) |
|---|---|
| Fasting triglycerides (not eating before the test) | 1.7 or below |
| HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) | 1 or above |
| Non-fasting triglycerides (eating before the test) | 2.3 or below |
| Non-HDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) | 4 or below |
| Total cholesterol | 5 or below |
| Total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio | 6 or below |
At Medical Express Clinic, we are committed to your well-being and offer private cholesterol testing services to ensure you know your heart disease and stroke risk. Our priority remains professionalism, accuracy, and personalised care while ensuring you get a high standard of healthcare to meet your cardiovascular needs. Call us today at 0207 499 1991 to book your cholesterol blood test appointment.
Several factors can contribute to high cholesterol, but it indicates that the body is working harder than it should to maintain balance. Certain diets, particularly those high in saturated fats, can increase cholesterol levels, including being overweight and lack of exercise. High cholesterol is genetic in certain cases, meaning you inherited it from family members.
HDL, also called good cholesterol, helps the liver filter and remove cholesterol. However, LDL (bad cholesterol) circulates cholesterol. This means HDL protects, while LDL accumulates as plaque and blocks the arteries.
Eating less fatty foods can help lower cholesterol levels, and reducing fatty food containing saturated fats also helps. Opt for foods containing healthier fats, known as unsaturated fats, and check food labels when shopping to know what fat it contains.
Cholesterol blood test results may seem complicated to interpret because there isn’t a simple normal level. You will need a follow-up appointment to discuss your result with the doctor. The current recommendation is to use the results within a cardiovascular risk calculator (Orisk) to determine if the level requires treatment with medication. There are exceptions where the problem is genetic or the levels are very high. In this case, specialist care from a Lipid Clinic may be necessary.
Anyone can check their cholesterol levels to understand their cardiovascular health risks or monitor their health. You may need to undergo cholesterol testing if your father, mother, or sister has had a heart attack, cardiac stents, a stroke, or undergone bypass surgery.
A finger prick or capillary blood sample is needed, which you can collect from the comfort of your home or a venous blood sample collected by a healthcare professional.
We understand the importance of keeping your data safe, so we use the appropriate organisational and technical steps to ensure the confidentiality and security of your information. We only share your information if it is necessary to deliver our services and products or due to a legal requirement. We also dispose of all samples after their analysis.
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