How often should I get my cholesterol checked?

Concerns & risks

You're 38, active and unsure when you last had a cholesterol test, and your father had early heart disease.

Causes & evidence

The CDC says most healthy adults should have their cholesterol checked every four to six years. People with heart disease, diabetes or a family history of high cholesterol may need it checked more often, and children should be checked at least once between ages 9 and 11 and again between 17 and 21. High cholesterol usually has no symptoms, so a blood test is the only way to know your levels. A standard lipid panel measures total cholesterol, LDL ('bad') cholesterol, HDL ('good') cholesterol and triglycerides. Your clinician looks at these results together with other risk factors, such as blood pressure, smoking, diabetes and family history, to decide on next steps. A father's heart attack before 55, or a mother's before 65, is generally considered early heart disease, so mention your family history.

Edge cases: people with diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity or kidney disease may need more frequent testing. Some genetic conditions, such as familial hypercholesterolemia, cause very high LDL from childhood, which is one reason family history matters. Children's screening schedules are set by their pediatrician.

Skipping a test because you feel fine misses the point: high cholesterol usually causes no symptoms at all.

What to do

1. Check your health portal or records for your last lipid panel.
2. Write down your family history, including ages of any heart events.
3. Ask your doctor whether you should be tested sooner.
4. Ask whether you need to fast before the test.
5. Book your next test on the schedule your doctor recommends.

Common mistakes:

• Waiting for symptoms
• Leaving out family history
• Looking only at total cholesterol

ReportSpeedMan tip: Bring your father's age at his heart attack to your appointment; it can change how often your doctor wants to test.

What I would actually do

I'd book a lipid panel at my next checkup and tell my doctor my father's age at his heart attack, so the testing schedule fits my real risk.

The trade-off people miss: a single normal result doesn't mean you can forget about it for a decade. Weight, diet, menopause, new medicines and family history can all change your numbers between tests.

Checking that it worked

You have a recent lipid panel and a retest date.

Quick FAQ

Do I need to fast?
Ask your clinician; some lipid panels don't require it.

Can I have high cholesterol at a healthy weight?
Yes. Genetics play a big role.

Are home tests reliable?
They can screen, but a lab test is standard.

Wrap-up: Healthy adults generally need a cholesterol check every four to six years, but family history can mean more often. Book a lipid panel and share your history.

Wiki: Sleep Basics and Insomnia and Emergency Fund.

How often should I get my cholesterol checked: official pages behind this answer

• CDC: Testing for cholesterol
• MedlinePlus: Cholesterol