CHOL, or Cholesterol Total, S is a simple blood test that measures the amounts of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. This test screens for four types of fats:
- Total cholesterol
- Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL)
- High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL)
- Triglycerides
High levels of blood cholesterol could indicate an increased risk of heart attack, heart diseases, and diseases of the blood vessels.
Test Specifications
Who Is It For?
Ideally, individuals would receive their first cholesterol screening between the ages of 9-11 as a baseline and then be rescreened every 5 years. This testing should be increased to every two years for men between the ages of 45-65 and for women aged 55-65. Everyone over the age of 65 should receive cholesterol screening annually. Your physician may recommend more frequent testing if you have coronary artery disease (CAD), to monitor the effectiveness of treatment with cholesterol medication, or if you have other risk factors such as:
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Excess weight or obesity
- Poor diet
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- A family history of high cholesterol, heart diseases, or heart attacks
Why Is It Important?
Heart disease is the second leading cause of death and a leading cause of hospitalization in Canada. A complete cholesterol test, also called a lipid panel, can quantify the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. This measurement determines your risk for plaque buildup that can lead to narrowed or blocked arteries and compromise your heart health. High cholesterol is an indicator of significantly increased risk for atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, heart disease and heart attack. Test results can inform preventative measures, treatment decisions, and additional monitoring.
