--- title: "Cholesterol blood test: What to Expect | HealthAnswers" description: "A cholesterol (lipid) blood test measures LDL, HDL and triglycerides to assess heart and stroke risk — what the results mean and when statins are…" url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/tests/cholesterol-blood-test/ robots: noindex --- # Cholesterol blood test: What to Expect | HealthAnswers Tests & investigations A cholesterol (lipid) blood test measures LDL, HDL and triglycerides to assess heart and stroke risk — what the results mean and when statins are considered. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026 ## Quick answer What is a cholesterol blood test? A cholesterol blood test measures fats in your blood to help assess heart disease and stroke risk. Many labs now accept a non-fasting sample. High LDL may lead to lifestyle changes and, after a QRISK assessment, sometimes a statin. Results are interpreted with your wider risk, not as a single number in isolation. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Cholesterol blood test, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 6 sections ## Key facts about the cholesterol blood test - A lipid profile usually reports total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides. - LDL ("bad") cholesterol contributes to fatty build-up in arteries. - HDL ("good") cholesterol is generally protective. - The NHS Health Check includes cholesterol testing for many adults aged 40 to 74. - Very high cholesterol from a young age may suggest familial hypercholesterolaemia. ## What a cholesterol blood test measures A cholesterol blood test — often called a **lipid profile** — measures the main fats (lipids) in your blood: - Total cholesterol - LDL cholesterol — the type most linked to artery narrowing - HDL cholesterol — generally protective - Triglycerides — another blood fat linked to risk when raised These numbers help estimate your chance of heart attack and stroke over the next 10 years, usually with a risk calculator such as QRISK in England. ## Why the test is done Cholesterol is checked if you have risk factors, as part of an NHS Health Check, before or during statin treatment, or if a close relative had early heart disease. High cholesterol usually causes **no symptoms**, so a blood test is the only reliable way to find it. ## Fasting and how the test is done A small sample is taken from a vein. Many people no longer need to fast for a routine lipid test. If you are asked to fast, water is usually allowed. Tell the person taking blood about medicines and recent illness, as these can affect results. ## Understanding your results Your GP looks at the whole picture. Someone with moderate cholesterol but diabetes or previous heart disease may need treatment more urgently than someone with a slightly higher reading but low overall risk. Very high LDL, especially in younger adults or with a family history, should prompt thinking about **familial hypercholesterolaemia**. ## Treatment after a high result Lifestyle measures include reducing saturated fat, choosing unsaturated fats, eating oats and other soluble fibre, staying active, stopping smoking, and keeping to a healthy weight. If medicine is advised, **statins** are usually first-line. They lower LDL and reduce event risk. Side effects are discussed before starting; most people tolerate treatment well. Other lipid-lowering medicines are sometimes added if targets are not met or statins are not suitable. ## Follow-up Repeat testing shows whether lifestyle changes or medicines are working. Do not stop a statin without medical advice because of a single blood result — discuss symptoms or concerns with a GP or pharmacist first. ## ! When to speak to a doctor about the cholesterol blood test See a GP to review cholesterol results and your overall cardiovascular risk. Ask for advice if you have a strong family history of early heart disease, or if you cannot tolerate a prescribed statin. Call **999** for chest pain that could be a heart attack — do not wait for a cholesterol appointment. Call **111** if you need urgent advice and are unsure what to do. ## Common questions about the cholesterol blood test Do I need to fast before a cholesterol blood test? For many routine lipid tests a non-fasting sample is now acceptable. Some situations still need fasting — for example when triglycerides are very high or your local lab asks for it. Follow the instructions you are given. What is a healthy cholesterol level? There is no single target for everyone. Treatment decisions usually combine your lipid results with age, blood pressure, smoking, diabetes and other factors using a tool such as QRISK. People with existing heart disease or diabetes often aim for lower LDL levels. Can diet alone lower cholesterol enough? Cutting saturated fat, eating more fibre, and keeping active can improve cholesterol. If your calculated risk is high, or you already have cardiovascular disease, a statin is often still recommended alongside lifestyle changes. What is familial hypercholesterolaemia? It is an inherited condition that causes very high LDL from a young age and raises early heart-attack risk. Clues include cholesterol that is very high, tendon xanthomas, or close relatives with early heart disease. It needs specialist assessment and usually medicine. How often should cholesterol be checked? After starting a statin, levels are often rechecked within about 3 months, then reviewed at least yearly once stable. If you are not on treatment, timing depends on your risk — your GP can advise. ## Sources - [NHS — High cholesterol](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-cholesterol/) - [NHS — Blood tests](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/blood-tests/)