Which of the following are cholesterol tests that can be performed at point-of-care?
OverviewA complete cholesterol test — also called a lipid panel or lipid profile — is a blood test that can measure the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. Show
A cholesterol test can help determine your risk of the buildup of fatty deposits (plaques) in your arteries that can lead to narrowed or blocked arteries throughout your body (atherosclerosis). A cholesterol test is an important tool. High cholesterol levels often are a significant risk factor for coronary artery disease. Why it's doneHigh cholesterol usually causes no signs or symptoms. A complete cholesterol test is done to determine whether your cholesterol is high and to estimate your risk of heart attacks and other forms of heart disease and diseases of the blood vessels. A complete cholesterol test includes the calculation of four types of fats in your blood:
Who should get a cholesterol test?According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), a person's first cholesterol screening should occur between the ages of 9 and 11 and then be repeated every five years after that. The NHLBI recommends that cholesterol screenings occur every 1 to 2 years for men ages 45 to 65 and for women ages 55 to 65. People over 65 should receive cholesterol tests annually. More-frequent testing might be needed if your initial test results were abnormal or if you already have coronary artery disease, you're taking cholesterol-lowering medications or you're at higher risk of coronary artery disease because you:
People undergoing treatment for high cholesterol require regular cholesterol testing to monitor the effectiveness of their treatments. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing
health. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set
forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. RisksThere's little risk in getting a cholesterol test. You might have soreness or tenderness around the site where your blood is drawn. Rarely, the site can become infected. How you prepareYou're generally required to fast, consuming no food or liquids other than water, for nine to 12 hours before the test. Some cholesterol tests don't require fasting, so follow your doctor's instructions. What you can expectDuring the procedureA cholesterol test is a blood test, usually done in the morning if you fast overnight. Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from your arm. Before the needle is inserted, the puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic and an elastic band is wrapped around your upper arm. This causes the veins in your arm to fill with blood. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood is collected into a vial or syringe. The band is then removed to restore circulation, and blood continues to flow into the vial. Once enough blood is collected, the needle is removed and the puncture site is covered with a bandage. The procedure will likely take a couple of minutes. It's relatively painless. After the procedureThere are no precautions you need to take after your cholesterol test. You should be able to drive yourself home and do all your normal activities. If you've been fasting, you might want to bring a snack to eat after your cholesterol test is done. ResultsIn the United States, cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood. In Canada and many European countries, cholesterol levels are measured in millimoles per liter (mmol/L). To interpret your test results, use these general guidelines.
*Canadian and European guidelines differ slightly from U.S. guidelines. These conversions are based on U.S. guidelines. If your results show that your cholesterol level is high, don't get discouraged. You might be able to lower your cholesterol with lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, exercising and eating a healthy diet. If lifestyle changes aren't enough, cholesterol-lowering medications also might help. Talk to your doctor about the best way for you to lower your cholesterol. What types of cholesterol tests are there?Cholesterol Tests. Total cholesterol.. Low density lipoprotein (LDL cholesterol). High density lipoprotein (HDL cholesterol). Triglycerides (another type of fat in your blood). Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL cholesterol). What are the four types of cholesterol?Types of Cholesterol and Lipoproteins. Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) or Bad Cholesterol — Plaque Builder. ... . High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) or Good Cholesterol — The Bad Cholesterol Eater. ... . Triglycerides — Blood Fats. ... . Lp(a) Cholesterol.. What is a Poct lipid panel?Purpose: Lipid point of care testing analysers are used to screen and monitor patients with dyslipidaemia and as part of the NHS Health Check Programme in identifying individuals at risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD).
What tests are done to diagnose high cholesterol?High cholesterol usually has no signs or symptoms. The only way to know whether you have high cholesterol is to get your cholesterol checked. Your health care team can do a simple blood test, called a “lipid profile,” to measure your cholesterol levels.
|