A cholesterol test, also called a lipid panel or lipid profile, is a blood test that measures the cholesterol and triglycerides circulating in your blood. Manhattan Cardiology offers cholesterol testing at all five of our Manhattan locations, with results reviewed by a board-certified cardiologist when your numbers warrant a closer look.
High cholesterol has no symptoms on its own, which is why routine testing is one of the most useful tools for understanding your long-term heart disease risk. Whether you are due for a routine screening or your primary care provider has flagged a concern, our team can help you get tested and understand what your results mean.
Who Should Get a Cholesterol Test
- Adults who have never had their cholesterol checked
- Men age 35 and older, and women age 45 and older, as part of routine screening
- Adults as young as 20 with a family history of heart disease or existing risk factors
- People with diabetes, high blood pressure, a history of stroke, or existing heart disease, who generally need more frequent testing
- Anyone currently taking cholesterol-lowering medication who needs a follow-up test to see how well it is working
- Patients referred by another provider for a more detailed lipid workup
What a Cholesterol Test Measures
A standard lipid panel reports four numbers:
- Total cholesterol: the combined amount of all cholesterol in your blood.
- LDL cholesterol: often called “bad” cholesterol. Higher LDL levels are associated with a greater risk of plaque buildup in the arteries, a process called atherosclerosis, which can raise the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- HDL cholesterol: often called “good” cholesterol, because it helps carry LDL cholesterol out of the bloodstream.
- Triglycerides: a different type of fat that the body stores from excess calories. Triglyceride levels tend to run high in people who are overweight, have diabetes, or drink alcohol heavily.
Manhattan Cardiology offers two types of cholesterol testing. The standard lipid panel covers all four values above and is sufficient for most patients. For patients who may benefit from a more detailed look, we also offer nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) lipid testing, which measures the number and size of LDL particles directly, along with HDL and VLDL subclasses. The NMR test provides more detailed information than a standard panel, but it also costs more and takes longer to process. Your cardiologist can help you decide which test fits your risk factors and goals.
How to Prepare for Your Cholesterol Test
Most cholesterol tests require fasting for 9 to 12 hours beforehand, meaning no food and nothing to drink except water. Some newer testing approaches allow for non-fasting cholesterol tests in certain situations, so confirm with your care team whether fasting is required before your specific appointment. Let your provider know about any medications or supplements you take, since some can affect your results.
What to Expect During the Test
A cholesterol test is a simple blood draw, usually taken from a vein in the inside of your elbow or the back of your hand. It is often done as part of routine annual blood work, which means it can usually be combined with other labs your provider has already ordered. The sample is sent to our diagnostics lab, and while some results are available the same day, most patients receive their full lipid panel within 2 to 3 business days.
Understanding Your Cholesterol Numbers
Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) of blood. General reference ranges are:
- Total cholesterol: optimal is below 200 mg/dL; 200 to 239 mg/dL is borderline high; 240 mg/dL and above is high.
- LDL cholesterol: generally, lower is better. Many guidelines target under 100 mg/dL, with a lower target, often under 70 mg/dL, for patients who already have heart or vascular disease.
- HDL cholesterol: 40 to 60 mg/dL is a common target, and higher levels are generally considered more protective.
- Triglycerides: below 150 mg/dL is considered normal for most adults.
These ranges are general guidelines. Your individual target may be different depending on your personal and family health history, and your cardiologist is best positioned to interpret your specific results.
What Happens if Your Results Are Outside the Normal Range
Results above the typical range are often described as hyperlipidemia, which means higher than normal levels of fats in the blood. Over time, elevated levels can contribute to atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque inside the arteries. If your cholesterol test comes back above the typical range, it does not necessarily mean you need medication right away. Depending on your overall risk profile, your cardiologist may discuss lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise first, recommend a follow-up test, or, in some cases, discuss cholesterol-lowering medication. Patients with existing cardiovascular disease or multiple risk factors are generally advised to have their cholesterol checked annually, while adults with normal results and no major risk factors are often advised to retest every five years.
Related Tests Your Cardiologist May Discuss
If your cholesterol results are outside the expected range, your cardiologist may also discuss additional testing, such as a blood glucose test to screen for diabetes or a thyroid function test, since an underactive thyroid can also affect cholesterol levels.
Why Choose Manhattan Cardiology for Cholesterol Testing
Manhattan Cardiology is a cardiology-focused practice with five locations across Manhattan, including Midtown East, the Upper East Side, the Upper West Side, Columbus Circle, and Murray Hill. Because we are a cardiology practice first, an abnormal cholesterol result does not mean starting over with a new referral. Your results, and your cardiologist, are already in the same place.
Key Takeaways
- A cholesterol test (lipid panel) is a blood test that measures total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides.
- High cholesterol usually has no symptoms, so testing is the main way to catch it early.
- Most tests require 9 to 12 hours of fasting beforehand, though this varies by test type.
- Results are typically available in 2 to 3 business days.
- Manhattan Cardiology offers both standard lipid panels and more detailed NMR lipid testing.
- If your results are outside the normal range, your cardiologist can discuss next steps, which may include lifestyle changes, monitoring, or medication.
Most adults with normal results and no major risk factors should be tested every five years. If you have diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or a history of stroke, your cardiologist may recommend yearly testing instead. Ask your provider what schedule makes sense for your personal risk profile.
Most cholesterol tests require 9 to 12 hours of fasting, with water allowed. Some testing situations do not require fasting, so it is worth confirming with our team when you schedule your appointment which preparation applies to your specific test.
General guidelines consider total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL optimal, LDL under 100 mg/dL a reasonable target for most adults, HDL between 40 and 60 mg/dL favorable, and triglycerides below 150 mg/dL normal. Your individual targets may differ based on your health history, so ask your cardiologist to interpret your specific numbers.
A standard lipid panel reports total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides, and is enough information for most patients. The NMR test adds detail by directly measuring the number and size of LDL particles, which can help refine treatment decisions in certain cases. The NMR test costs more and takes longer to process, so your cardiologist will help determine whether it is appropriate for you.
Yes. High cholesterol typically causes no symptoms, which is exactly why routine screening matters. Many people with high cholesterol feel completely fine until it contributes to a more serious cardiovascular event.
Your cardiologist will look at your full risk picture, not just the one number, before recommending next steps. Depending on your results and other risk factors, that may include dietary and lifestyle changes, a follow-up test, or a conversation about cholesterol-lowering medication.
No. High cholesterol is one of several risk factors for heart attack and stroke, not a guarantee of either. It is one of the more manageable risk factors, though, which is part of why testing and monitoring it is worthwhile.
Most insurance plans cover routine cholesterol screening, particularly as part of an annual physical or when ordered for a documented risk factor. Coverage details vary by plan, so we recommend confirming your specific benefits with your insurance provider.
Some guidelines recommend a first cholesterol screening for children between ages 9 and 11, with a repeat screening between ages 17 and 21, particularly if there is a family history of high cholesterol or early heart disease. Talk to your child's pediatrician about whether earlier screening makes sense.
It is a standard blood draw. A small needle is used to collect a blood sample, usually from a vein in your arm, and the sample is sent to our lab for analysis. Most patients feel only a brief pinch.
Yes, some medications and supplements can affect your results. Tell your provider about everything you take, including over-the-counter medications, before your test, and do not stop or change any medication without talking to your provider first.
If your appointment is scheduled as fasting, avoid food and drink other than water for 9 to 12 hours beforehand. If you are unsure whether your specific appointment requires fasting, call our office ahead of time to confirm.
