Topic Overview

Doctors use different guidelines to decide when a person should have a cholesterol test. Your doctor might suggest a test based on your age or your risk factors for heart disease.

Talk to your doctor about when a cholesterol test is right for you.

When should adults get tested?

Some health organizations recommend that everyone older than 20 be checked for high cholesterol.^{footnote 1} The Canadian Cardiovascular Society recommends cholesterol tests based on age and risk factors for heart disease.^{footnote 2} Talk to your doctor about when you should get a cholesterol test.

Canadian experts agree that the following people should have their cholesterol checked:

• Anyone who has strong risk factors for heart disease
• People who have a family history of early coronary artery disease
• Men age 40 and older.
• Women age 40 and older or who are post-menopausal

How often should adults get tested?

How often you should get a cholesterol test depends on your cholesterol level, your other health problems, and your overall chance of heart disease.

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.

Most adults who have diabetes should be tested once a year or as often your doctor recommends.^{footnote 3}

When should children get tested?

Your child's doctor may suggest a cholesterol test for your child or teenager based on your child's age, family history, or a physical examination.

Talk to your child's doctor about when he or she should get a cholesterol test.

Should I get a public cholesterol test?

Public cholesterol testing can be convenient and helpful. But most doctors will want to verify public test results. Because the doctor can evaluate risk factors and provide counselling, having your cholesterol level checked during a doctor visit is the preferred method.

The reliability of public cholesterol tests at health fairs, malls, pharmacies, and other sites depends on many factors, including:

• What kind of blood sample is used (finger stick or a sample drawn from a vein).
• What type of equipment is used.
• Whether the equipment is used properly.
• How well the technicians have been trained.

You may wish to ask the technicians how much training they have had and how your blood sample will be handled.

More information

For more information, see:

• Cholesterol and Triglycerides Tests.
• High Cholesterol.