screening for cholesterol

Overview

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance your body needs to build cells and make hormones. However, too much of it in your blood can stick to the inside of your arteries and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. Cholesterol screening is a simple blood test that measures your cholesterol levels, so you can find out if yours are too high — even if you feel perfectly fine.

Yes. High cholesterol is very common around the world. Many adults have raised cholesterol without knowing it.

Anyone can have high cholesterol, including children and older adults. Your risk increases with age, a family history of high cholesterol, an unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, smoking, or certain medical conditions like diabetes.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Most people with high cholesterol have no symptoms at all. That is why screening is so important.

Symptoms in children

• Children with high cholesterol also usually have no symptoms. Screening is generally considered for children with a family history of early heart disease or very high cholesterol.

Symptoms in older adults

• Older adults may have high cholesterol without symptoms. Regular screening is still important because age is a risk factor for heart problems.

Causes

Main causes

• Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs, but extra cholesterol can come from eating too many foods high in saturated fats, trans fats, and dietary cholesterol.
• Some families inherit a tendency to have high cholesterol, even with a healthy diet.
• Chronic health conditions, such as an underactive thyroid or kidney disease, can raise cholesterol.

Risk factors

• A diet high in fatty meats, full-fat dairy, and fried foods
• Being overweight or having obesity
• Lack of regular physical activity
• Smoking or using tobacco
• High blood pressure or diabetes
• A family member who had heart disease or high cholesterol at an early age
• Age — risk increases as you get older

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• If you have any of the emergency symptoms listed above, call your local emergency number immediately.
• If you are due for a cholesterol test and have not had one recently, ask your healthcare provider about when to schedule it.

Book a routine appointment if:

• Adults should have their cholesterol checked as part of routine care. Ask your healthcare provider how often you need it.
• If you have heart disease, diabetes, or a strong family history of high cholesterol, you may need more frequent testing.

Diagnosis

Cholesterol screening is done with a blood test called a lipid panel or lipid profile. It measures total cholesterol, LDL (often called bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, and triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood.

Tests that may be done

• Lipid panel (or lipid profile) — a blood test that measures your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
• Some test are performed after fasting, meaning you cannot eat or drink anything except water for 9 to 12 hours before. Others do not require fasting. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions.

What to expect at your appointment

A nurse or phlebotomist will take a small sample of blood from a vein in your arm. The whole test takes only a few minutes. You may feel a brief pinch, but it is not painful. Results usually come within a few days. Your healthcare provider will explain what your numbers mean and what to do next.

Treatment

If your cholesterol is high, treatment is about lowering your risk of heart attack and stroke. Your healthcare provider will create a personal plan based on your cholesterol levels, age, blood pressure, smoking status, and other risk factors.

Self-care at home

• Eat a heart-healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
• Limit foods high in saturated fats, like fatty meats and full-fat dairy, and avoid trans fats.
• Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week, or as advised by your healthcare provider.
• If you smoke, ask for help to quit.
• Keep a healthy weight and manage stress.

Medical treatments

If lifestyle changes are not enough, your healthcare provider may prescribe a cholesterol-lowering medicine. These medicines work in different ways, usually by helping your liver remove cholesterol or by reducing the amount your body absorbs. You will still need to keep up with healthy habits while taking medication. Always take medicines exactly as prescribed.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is not a usual treatment for high cholesterol. In rare and very serious cases, procedures to improve blood flow may be needed if cholesterol has already narrowed arteries, but your healthcare team will discuss any options with you.

Living with this condition

Living with high cholesterol means making heart-healthy choices a part of everyday life. You can still enjoy meals with family and friends — it is about balance and finding healthier versions of foods you like. Your healthcare team will monitor your levels over time and adjust your plan as needed.

Lifestyle tips

• Take your medicines exactly as prescribed, if you have been prescribed any.
• Keep a regular schedule for physical activity that you enjoy.
• Learn to read food labels and look for saturated fat and trans fat content.
• Find healthy ways to manage stress, like deep breathing, walking, or talking with someone you trust.
• Keep your regular appointments and blood tests.

Diet and exercise

A heart-healthy diet includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, fish, and lean poultry. Try to limit red meat, processed meats, and foods with added sugar. Exercise can be as simple as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling. Start with small goals and build up gradually. Even modest changes can improve your cholesterol numbers.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Learning you have high cholesterol can feel worrying. It is important to remember that this is a manageable condition and you are taking a positive step by addressing it. If feelings of anxiety or stress become overwhelming, talk to your healthcare provider or a counsellor.

Prevention

You cannot always prevent high cholesterol, especially if it runs in your family. But a healthy lifestyle can help keep your cholesterol levels in a healthy range and reduce your overall risk of heart disease. Even small changes, like adding more vegetables and moving your body more, can make a difference.

Screening programmes

Regular screening is the best way to catch high cholesterol early, before it causes problems. Ask your healthcare provider when you should be tested and how often. Screening is simple, quick, and can help you take action to protect your heart.

Complications

If left untreated

• Cholesterol can build up in the walls of your arteries, forming plaque.
• Plaque can narrow arteries and reduce blood flow to your heart, brain, and legs.
• If a plaque breaks open, it can cause a blood clot that leads to a heart attack or stroke.

Long-term outlook

The outlook is hopeful. Most people with high cholesterol can lower their risk significantly by making lifestyle changes and, if needed, taking medication. Early detection through screening is the first step. With your healthcare team's help, you can protect your heart and live a long, active life.

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