Heart and cholesterol tests: what a lipid profile tells you

First: chest pain is not for a blood test

Call 998 now for chest pain that feels tight or squeezing, chest pain spreading to your arms, neck or jaw, severe difficulty breathing, or lips or skin that look pale, blue or grey. Do not drive yourself to hospital.

Some heart packages include markers such as troponin. MedlinePlus explains that troponin testing is mainly used in hospital emergency departments, with an ECG, to confirm a heart attack. A test booked for later cannot do that job.

Who might want a cholesterol check

The NHS says you are more likely to have high cholesterol if you are over 50, a man, have been through the menopause, or are of South Asian or sub-Saharan African origin. It can run in families, and it is linked to fatty food, too little exercise, being overweight, smoking and alcohol.

MedlinePlus gives a general guide to how often adults are tested: every 5 years for younger adults, every 1 to 2 years for men aged 45 to 65 and women aged 55 to 65, and every year over 65. You may need tests more often if you have a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or you smoke.

What a lipid profile measures

The Lipid & Cholesterol Profile listing also reports VLDL and some ratios. The Cardiac Profile listing adds markers such as troponin, CRP and proBNP, plus blood sugar and kidney tests. Each listing shows exactly what it includes.

Preparing, and having the sample taken

Advice on fasting varies. The NHS says it does not make much difference to cholesterol whether you have eaten, while MedlinePlus says you may be asked to fast for 9 to 12 hours. Follow your listing: the Lipid & Cholesterol Profile listing asks for 8 to 12 hours and the Cardiac Profile listing for 8 to 10 hours.

You can have the sample taken at home if collection is available at your address. The app shows this when you enter it. See what to expect from a home lab test or lab tests at home.

Making sense of the numbers

For healthy adults, the NHS gives total cholesterol below 5 mmol/L, non-HDL below 4 mmol/L, and HDL above 1.0 mmol/L for men or 1.2 mmol/L for women as a guide. Some labs report in mg/dL instead, so check the units and the range printed on your report.

What counts as a good level for you depends on your age, health conditions and overall risk. WHO notes that disease of the blood vessels often causes no symptoms, and a heart attack or stroke can be the first sign. A cardiologist or GP can put your result in context and talk you through next steps.