What is the importance of a cholesterol check?
Too much cholesterol puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death in the United States. High cholesterol has no signs or symptoms, so the only way to know whether you have it is to get your cholesterol checked. Talk to your health care team about how you can manage your cholesterol levels and lower your risk.
Who Should Consider Getting Screened?
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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.
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At the age of 45 for men and 50 for women, it is recommended to be screened for cholesterol every 1-2 years.
Why Screening is Important
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Those who have heart disease, diabetes or a family history of high cholesterol, need to get their cholesterol checked more often.
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A complete cholesterol test is also called a lipid panel. It is a blood test that measures the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood.
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High cholesterol puts you at risk of heart disease and stroke.