Cholesterol & Lipid Panel🧪 Cholesterol & Lipid Panel
Assess your risk of heart disease and stroke by measuring fat levels in your blood.
🔍 What is it?
A Cholesterol and Lipid Panel is a blood test that evaluates the levels of different types of fats (lipids) in your bloodstream. These fats include cholesterol and triglycerides, both of which can influence your cardiovascular health.
It’s one of the most common tests for checking your risk of heart disease, stroke, and atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries).
📊 What does it measure?
| Marker | What It Indicates |
| Total Cholesterol | Overall amount of cholesterol in the blood |
| LDL (“bad”) Cholesterol | High levels can increase risk of heart disease and stroke |
| HDL (“good”) Cholesterol | Helps remove excess cholesterol; higher levels are protective |
| Triglycerides | A type of fat; high levels are linked to increased cardiovascular risk |
| Non-HDL Cholesterol | Total cholesterol minus HDL – useful secondary risk indicator |
| Cholesterol Ratio | Total cholesterol divided by HDL – used to assess risk |
❓ Why might I need it?
You might need a cholesterol test if you:
- ❤️ Have a family history of heart disease or stroke
- ⚖️ Are overweight or physically inactive
- 💉 Have high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes
- 🚬 Are a smoker
- 🎂 Are over age 40 (routine testing advised by the NHS)
- 🥗 Want to monitor progress after starting a heart-healthy diet or statin medication
🧬 Conditions it can help detect:
- High cholesterol (hyperlipidaemia)
- Atherosclerosis (narrowed arteries)
- Familial hypercholesterolaemia
- Metabolic syndrome
- Increased cardiovascular risk even without symptoms
📈 Typical Healthy Ranges (NHS guidance):
| Marker | Healthy Level |
| Total Cholesterol | < 5.0 mmol/L |
| LDL Cholesterol | < 3.0 mmol/L |
| HDL Cholesterol | > 1.0 mmol/L (men), > 1.2 mmol/L (women) |
| Triglycerides | < 1.7 mmol/L |
Your doctor may calculate a QRISK score using your cholesterol, age, and other health info to estimate your 10-year heart disease risk.
⏱️ How is it done?
- Simple blood test, ideally fasting for 9–12 hours beforehand
- Can be done at home (finger prick) or at a clinic
- Results in 1–2 days
💷 Typical Private Cost in the UK:
- £40–£90, depending on the provider and test type
- Often included in general health or heart health check-ups
✅ Commonly combined with:
- Blood pressure monitoring
- HbA1c or glucose tests (to assess diabetes risk)
- Liver function tests (important if taking statins)
- Kidney function tests (for complete cardiovascular screening)
📚 References:
- NHS UK – Cholesterol test
- Heart UK – Understanding your cholesterol levels
- NHS – Cardiovascular risk assessment (QRISK)