A high cholesterol level is a risk factor for developing coronary heart disease. Knowing what your blood cholesterol levels are--and what they mean--gives you an opportunity to make lifestyle changes that may lower your cholesterol levels, if they are high, and reduce your risk for heart disease in the process. The blood cholesterol test gives a value of all the cholesterol in your body, as well as the triglyceride content of your blood.
Step 1
Schedule an appointment with your health-care provider. Speak to her about your concerns with regards to your risk for heart disease. Make a request to have a test to check your total blood cholesterol level. The American Heart Association states that it is best to have your primary-care doctor run your cholesterol test. There are other factors that need to be considered when interpreting blood cholesterol values such as age, health history and lifestyle.
Step 2
Prepare for your cholesterol test. To make sure your blood cholesterol results are accurate, your doctor may ask you not to eat or drink anything, except water, nine to 12 hours before your test. Avoid drinking other liquid beverages like soda, coffee or tea. Drugs like birth-control pills, vitamin D and statins may affect your cholesterol readings. Your doctor may ask you to stop taking them before the test. Do not stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor.
Step 3
Visit the laboratory or your doctor on the day of your test. Blood will be drawn with a needle from a vein in your arm. The area is first cleaned with an antiseptic to kill off germs. Then an elastic band is tied around your upper arm to make your veins more visible. The needle is then inserted into a vein, after which blood is pulled into a tube attached to the needle. Once this is done, the band is removed and the puncture site is cleaned and covered to stop any bleeding.
Step 4
Be aware of your cholesterol test result and what it means. Make an appointment to speak with your doctor about the results of your test. He will interpret your test results based on other risk factors like age, family history, smoking and high blood pressure.
