How Often
How often should i check my cholesterol?
If you’re 20 years or older, it’s important to have your blood cholesterol checked at least once every five years, even if you’ve never had an issue with high cholesterol before. Why? Because cholesterol levels can silently drift upward without symptoms—and early detection is one of our best tools for preventing heart disease before it starts.
The test you want is called a fasting lipoprotein profile, although in many cases, a non-fasting version is just as reliable—especially if you’re not dealing with elevated triglycerides. This test doesn’t just give you a single number. It breaks down your cholesterol into four key components:
- Total cholesterol
- LDL cholesterol – often called “bad” cholesterol because it can contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries
- HDL cholesterol – the “good” cholesterol that helps clear excess cholesterol from the bloodstream
- Triglycerides – a type of fat in the blood that’s often linked to diet and metabolic health
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Now, if you already have risk factors for heart disease—like diabetes, high blood pressure, a history of smoking, or a strong family history of heart attacks—then waiting five years between checks is too long. In those cases, we recommend more frequent monitoring, sometimes annually, depending on your personal risk profile.
There are people whose numbers seem “normal” on the surface, but whose overall risk is elevated. That’s why it’s not just about one number—it’s about seeing the full picture and using it to make meaningful, food-forward, and science-based changes to your health.
I hear that cholesterol screening should start at age 9 to 11 and then be repeated every five years after that. And that cholesterol screenings could be done every 1 to 2 years for men ages 45 to 65 and for women ages 55 to 65. Over 65 everyone should receive cholesterol tests annually.
I quite smoking 5 years ago and I have been trying to eat healthier. I get tested a few times a year and still have High HDL. I am only 35 years old.
I check my cholesterol one a year upon awaking in the morning, I go without eating dinner the night before.