When to have a cholesterol test
Canadian experts recommend that the following people have their cholesterol checked regularly:1
- Men older than age 40
- Women who are post-menopausal or older than age 50
- Anyone who has strong risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, or abdominal obesity
- People who have a strong family history of premature cardiovascular disease
- People who have signs of lipid disorders
- People with signs of atherosclerosis
An adult who has coronary artery disease (CAD) should have a cholesterol test at least once a year.
An adult who is being treated for high cholesterol may need more frequent tests, depending on his or her cholesterol level and the type of treatment being used.
Adults and children with a family history of very high cholesterol levels or early-onset CAD may need more frequent tests and may need to begin tests at an earlier age. In some cases, a special test may be done to check for inherited lipid disorders.
| Author: | Douglas Dana Ralph Poore | Last Updated: November 13, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Neil J. Stone, MD, FACC, FACP - Internal Medicine, Cardiology | |
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