Understanding
cholesterol.
Get a clearer view of the blood fats that contribute to your cardiovascular health.
What you need to know.
Cholesterol has useful functions in the body, but too much can increase cardiovascular risk. High cholesterol usually causes no symptoms, which is why a blood test can be useful. Results are considered alongside your wider health history.
Signs & symptoms
- High cholesterol usually has no noticeable symptoms
- A blood test is needed to measure your levels
- An abnormal result does not mean you already have heart disease
Factors to discuss
- Family history and inherited conditions
- Diet and physical activity
- Smoking and other cardiovascular risk factors
- Conditions such as diabetes or an underactive thyroid
What testing can tell you.
A lipid profile is included in Essential, Advanced and Performance & Longevity. It looks at cholesterol and blood fats. Your clinician can explain your results in the context of blood pressure, age, medical history and other risk factors.
A cholesterol result is one part of cardiovascular assessment. It cannot diagnose a blocked artery or predict with certainty whether you will have a heart attack or stroke.
Your next step
If you have symptoms or a specific health concern, speak to your GP. If you’re choosing a routine health screen, review the package’s included tests or ask our team for help.
Further reading: NHS information on this topic