What Is a Cholesterol Test?

Maj. Gordon West, DeWitt Health Care Network, tests a patient's cholesterol level during Retiree Appreciation Day at Barden Education Center.

A simple blood test, advocated for men and women over 18, that measures the amount of cholesterol in blood serum. Because it’s an indicator of your risk of heart disease, having the test could save your life.

If your cholesterol levels are higher than normal — a normal score is less than 5mmol/l — dietary changes can bring them down. If your levels are high enough to pose an outright risk, you may be prescribed medication.

Because the test measures the fat content of your blood, you should ideally avoid eating nine to 12 hours before. Drinking water is fine.