If you aren’t already taking statins or other cholesterol medications, fasting may not be necessary before a cholesterol test.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced by the body after eating certain foods. While the body needs some cholesterol to function properly, having too much or high cholesterol raises the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Because of this risk, knowing your cholesterol levels is an important part of good heart health. The
People with known high cholesterol levels or other chronic health conditions may benefit from more frequent testing.
In the past, experts believed fasting ahead of time produced the most accurate results. This is because your low-density lipoproteins (LDL) — also known as “bad” cholesterol — may be affected by what you’ve recently eaten.
A recent meal may also affect your levels of triglycerides (another type of fat in your blood).
However, guidelines published in the
Depending on your situation, your healthcare professional might recommend drinking only water and avoiding food, other beverages, and certain medications for up to 12 hours before your test to ensure accurate results.
For this reason, cholesterol tests are often scheduled in the morning. That way, you don’t have to spend a whole day hungry while waiting for your test.
Cholesterol is measured using a blood test. A healthcare professional draws your blood using a needle and collects it in a vial. This typically takes place at your doctor’s office or at a lab, where the blood is then analyzed.
The test only takes a couple of minutes. However, your arm might be sore or bruised around the injection site.
Your results will likely be available in a few days or within a couple of weeks.
Your blood will likely be checked using a total lipid profile test. To understand your results, you’ll need to know the different types of cholesterol that the test measures and what’s considered healthy, potentially high, and high.
Here’s a breakdown of each type. Keep in mind that people who have conditions such as diabetes may need to aim for even lower numbers.
Total cholesterol
Your total cholesterol is the overall amount of cholesterol in your blood.
- Acceptable: Below 200 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter)
- Borderline: 200 to 239 mg/dL
- High: 240 mg/dL or higher
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
LDL is the cholesterol that blocks your blood vessels and increases your risk of heart disease.
- Acceptable: Below 70 if coronary artery disease is present
- Below 100 mg/dL if at risk for coronary artery disease or have a history of diabetes
- Borderline: 130 to 159 mg/dL
- High: 160 mg/dL or higher
- Very high: 190 mg/dL and above
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
HDL cholesterol helps protect you from heart disease. This type removes excess cholesterol from your blood, helping to prevent buildup. The higher your HDL levels are, the better.
- Acceptable: 40 mg/dL or higher for men and 50 mg/dL or higher for women
- Low: 39 mg/dL or lower for men and 49 mg/dL or lower for women
- Ideal: 60 mg/dL or higher
Triglycerides
High triglyceride levels and high LDL levels raise your risk for heart disease.
- Acceptable: 149 mg/dL or lower
- Borderline: 150 to 199 mg/dL
- High: 200 mg/dL or higher
- Very high: 500 mg/dL and higher
If your numbers are borderline or high level, your healthcare professional may recommend certain lifestyle changes or prescribe a statin. They may also want to check your levels more often.
Testing your cholesterol levels is an important part of keeping your heart and blood vessels healthy. In general, fasting before your test isn’t required.
However, your healthcare professional may recommend fasting if you’re already taking a cholesterol medication. Be sure to ask your healthcare professional whether you need to fast before your test.