Know all the details on blood cholesterol test, when to take cholesterol test, what preparation is required for the test. The cholesterol test evaluates the levels of cholesterol, and the ratios of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol and LDL to HDL cholesterol ratio in the blood.
The cholesterol test evaluates the levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and the ratios of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol and LDL to HDL cholesterol ratio in the patient's blood. The results help to assess the risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) or coronary heart disease (CHD). Not all the test are done for every body.
People with normal cholesterol levels should be tested once every five years. People with high levels of cholesterol should be tested as recommended by their doctors. You should get your blood tested if you have two or more of the following risk factors for heart disease, according to The National Cholesterol Education Program.
1. male sex
2. high blood pressure
3. smoking
4. diabetes
5. low HDL levels
6. family history of CAD before age 55
- You should not eat any thing before 12-14 hours of the blood sample is taken. Fasting before the test is required to get an accurate lipid level.
- You should stop taking any medications like corticosteroids, estrogen or androgens, oral contraceptives, some diuretics, haloperidol, some antibiotics, and niacin.
The patient's blood is withdrawn by a syringe from one of the patient's veins in the arm. It takes only about five minutes.
No Blood samples needed for the test
Mississippi State University Professor Ray Winton has reported in 2008 the development of a "smart bandage" that may completely do away with the need to use needles for testing cholesterol, insulin and blood chemistry. The bandage do not need a battery or other on-board power source, but picks it up by an antenna. After sensors detect specific information, the adhesive bandages can be read to indicate medical diagnostics.