Check if you have high cholesterol
High cholesterol does not usually cause symptoms. You can only find out if you have it from a blood test.
Your GP might suggest having a test to check if your cholesterol level is high.
This may be because of your age, weight or a condition you have (like high blood pressure or diabetes).
Non-urgent advice: Ask your GP surgery for a cholesterol test if:
- you have not had a test before and you're over 40, overweight, or high cholesterol or heart problems run in your family
You're more likely to have high cholesterol.
You can also get a cholesterol test at a pharmacy, but you might have to pay for it.
Having a cholesterol test
There are 2 ways of having a cholesterol test.
Taking blood from your arm
Some blood will usually be taken from your arm with a needle.
This is sent to a lab to check your cholesterol level. You should get the result in a few days.
You might be asked not to eat anything (to "fast") for up to 12 hours before the test. But most people do not need to fast.
Finger-prick test
If you're over 40, you may have a test during your NHS Health Check. You can also get this check at a pharmacy.
This is a check-up that can help spot early signs of problems like heart disease and diabetes.
The test can be done by pricking your finger. A drop of blood is put on a strip of paper. This is put into a machine that checks your cholesterol in a few minutes.
View your results online
Results of tests you had at your GP surgery, and results that have been shared with your GP surgery, may be available in your online GP health record.
What happens next
If you have high cholesterol, a doctor or nurse will talk to you about how you can lower it.
This might include things like changing your diet or taking medicine.
They may also work out your risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years.
Lowering your cholesterol can help lower your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Page last reviewed: 13 July 2022
Next review due: 13 July 2025