High cholesterol is often called a "silent killer" because it typically presents no noticeable symptoms. Unlike weight gain, where you immediately feel the change in your clothes, high cholesterol silently damages your arteries, increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke. Therefore, regular cholesterol testing is crucial for early detection and management.
Cholesterol testing, also known as a lipid panel, is a simple blood test that measures your total cholesterol, HDL ("good") cholesterol, LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and triglycerides. The procedure is quick and generally painless, involving a blood draw that is sent to a lab for analysis. The results are usually available through your doctor or online patient portal.
How Often Should You Get Tested?
The frequency of cholesterol testing depends on various factors, primarily your age and risk factors. For healthy adults aged 20 to 40, the general recommendation is to get tested every four to six years. After age 40, or earlier if you have risk factors, testing may be recommended every three to five years.
Younger adults with suboptimal cholesterol levels, such as LDL cholesterol above 100 mg/dL or HDL cholesterol below 60 mg/dL, should also be tested more frequently. Individuals with a family history of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or who smoke, may also require more frequent monitoring.
Managing High Cholesterol and Monitoring Treatment
If you are diagnosed with high cholesterol, your doctor will develop a personalized treatment plan, which may include lifestyle changes, medication, or both. Regardless of your treatment approach, regular monitoring of your cholesterol levels is essential to track progress.
Those starting cholesterol-lowering medications, such as statins, may initially be tested every three months to assess the drug's effectiveness. Once your doctor determines that the medication is working well, the frequency of testing may decrease to once a year.
Lifestyle changes, such as adopting a heart-healthy diet and exercising regularly, can also lower cholesterol levels. However, it's important to be patient, as it can take several weeks or even months to see measurable improvements in your cholesterol levels through these efforts.