Keeping a check on your cholesterol levels is a good way to establish how healthy your heart is. Whatever your age, it is important to know your cholesterol levels and what you can do about it if yours is too high.

Cholesterol levels are checked through a simple blood test which measures the amount of cholesterol and other types of fats in your blood. A Cholesterol Test is an important diagnostic tool which helps to determine your risk of the buildup of fatty deposits in your arteries and overall risk of coronary artery disease.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol, a fatty substance known as a lipid, is found in every cell of the body. It’s crucial for hormone and vitamin D production. While the body is able to produce most of what it needs in the liver, dietary sources found in animal products such as egg yolks and meat, contribute also.

An excess of cholesterol can form plaque, causing atherosclerosis (the build-up of fatty material inside the arteries), leading to serious cardiovascular conditions.

Types of cholesterol

Cholesterol, a type of fat, requires transport in the blood through lipoproteins—bundles of fats and proteins. Lipoproteins, combining fat (lipid) and protein, include LDL and HDL cholesterol, which are named based on their density: High-density lipoproteins (HDL) have more protein, while low-density lipoproteins (LDL) have less protein and more fat.

There are various types of cholesterol lipids. Typically, when you get a cholesterol check, the test will analyse HDL, LDL, total cholesterol and triglycerides.

As cholesterol circulates in the blood, high-density lipoproteins (HDL) act as "good" cholesterol by transporting cholesterol from tissues to the liver for recycling. In contrast, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) carry cholesterol from the liver to tissues, contributing to plaque formation on artery walls.

While high LDL levels pose cardiovascular risks, these proteins play essential roles in vitamin D and steroid hormone production at lower levels, meaning the correct balance of cholesterol is critical to health.

Why check your cholesterol levels?

Raised cholesterol levels are the main contributing factor to heart disease in the UK. According to the NHS, in 2021, 56% of men and 61% of women had high cholesterol levels. This is a concerning statistic because of the serious health conditions linked to high cholesterol.

As there are no symptoms of having high cholesterol, it’s impossible to know your cholesterol status unless you have your levels checked. Failing to keep track of your cholesterol levels could mean that you are at high risk of vascular disease, leading to atherosclerosis (narrowing or blocked arteries), angina, heart attack, blood clots or stroke.

Cholesterol tests are so quick, easy to access and inexpensive that there really is no reason not to check your cholesterol.

How to check cholesterol levels

Checking your cholesterol levels is very easy. It involves taking a small blood sample, which is sent to a laboratory for analysis. There is no fasting or other preparation needed for the test.

The most widely used Cholesterol Test is called a Lipoprotein (a) Test. This test analyses high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) known as “good” cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), known as “bad” cholesterol, triglycerides and total cholesterol in the blood.

At Bluecrest Wellness, we offer several types of cholesterol checks, enabling you to take a Lipoprotein (a) test on its own, as part of a full body health assessment, or in combination with diabetes testing.

The Cholesterol Tests we offer are:

• Lipoprotein (a) test
• Cholesterol Lipid profile – includes Triglycerides, Cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol, Cholesterol Ratio

Checking your cholesterol is easy with Bluecrest Wellness. Simply book your test online, choose your most convenient location from over 350 venues nationwide and attend your appointment. At your cholesterol test, a trained health assessment specialist will take a small blood sample from a vein in your arm, and the whole appointment will take less than 15 minutes. Your sample will be sent to one of our laboratories for analysis . Your results will be available 24/7 through our online dashboard, My Wellness. You will receive an email notification as soon as your results are ready for viewing. Processing times vary by test, with some results accessible on the dashboard in as little as three days. The online dashboard also provides easy access to a downloadable PDF, making it simple to share your results with your GP.

What affects cholesterol in your blood?

Cholesterol levels in the blood are affected mostly by lifestyle choices, but predisposing factors such as genes, age and sex can also play a role.

Lifestyle factors that affect cholesterol levels:

• Diet – Eating too much saturated or trans-saturated fat
• Smoking - leads to a build-up of tar in the arteries, facilitating the adherence of cholesterol to artery walls.
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Being overweight or obese
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Certain health conditions – such as type 2 diabetes, kidney or liver disease, and conditions related to growth hormone deficiency.

Predisposing factors that affect cholesterol levels:

• Ageing – older adults, especially after the age of 40, have higher cholesterol
• Genes – such as a hereditary condition called Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH)
• Family history of heart disease or high cholesterol

It should be noted that throughout pregnancy, the liver produces additional cholesterol to support the development of the baby. These elevated levels continue for about a month post-childbirth before returning to baseline. It is, therefore, not recommended for pregnant women to test their cholesterol.

What does high cholesterol mean?

Having high cholesterol is a warning sign that should not be ignored. A test result showing high cholesterol means that you have too much cholesterol circulating in the body, which combines with proteins to create plaque. This plaque attaches to the inner walls of blood vessels and arteries, causing strain on the cardiovascular system, reducing blood flow, and significantly increasing the chances of developing vascular diseases.

How to reduce cholesterol

Implementing a healthy lifestyle is a key strategy to lower or maintain optimal cholesterol levels, benefiting overall health and significantly reducing the risk of vascular diseases. In certain cases, lifestyle changes may be complemented with medication. However, the vast majority of people are able to lower high cholesterol levels by:

• Eating a healthy diet high in fibre and vegetables and low in saturated and trans-saturated fats is one of the most effective ways to lower cholesterol.
• Quit smoking and avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
• Increasing activity levels – the NHS recommends doing at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity a week for adults aged between 19 and 64.

Check your cholesterol and more

Checking your cholesterol is easy with Bluecrest Wellness. Simply book your test online, choose your most convenient location from over 350 venues nationwide and attend your appointment. Your sample will be sent to one of our laboratories for analysis. Your results will be available 24/7 through our online dashboard, My Wellness. You will receive an email notification as soon as your results are ready for viewing. Processing times vary by test, with some results accessible on the dashboard in as little as three days. The online dashboard also provides easy access to a downloadable PDF, making it simple to share your results with your GP.

Cholesterol tests are included in our range of health checks, giving you peace of mind over the health and function of your kidneys. Moreover, undergoing a health MOT will assess how well other vital organs and systems work in the body.

Our full body private health checks are designed for busy people who want to take control of their health. Our tests are quick, accurate, convenient and completely stress-free. No waiting for an appointment, clinically safe procedures, no embarrassing questions, no long travel times and no busy waiting rooms.

Any individual tests can be added to any full body health check. Just book one of our full body private health assessments and call us before your appointment to add an extra test.

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Need help? Call free on 0800 652 2183 to speak to one of our team.

FAQs

Who should have a Cholesterol Test?

It is generally recommended to check your cholesterol if you are over the age of 40 or have a family history of raised cholesterol or heart disease. Those who are overweight, obese or have type 2 diabetes are also advised to regularly check cholesterol levels.

What does high cholesterol mean?

A test result showing high cholesterol means that you have too much cholesterol circulating in the body, which combines with proteins to create plaque. This plaque attaches to the inner walls of blood vessels and arteries, causing strain on the cardiovascular system, reducing blood flow, and significantly increasing the chances of developing vascular diseases.

How often should you check cholesterol?

It is generally recommended to get your cholesterol levels checked every three to five years.

How to arrange a Cholesterol Test?

At Bluecrest Wellness, we offer several types of cholesterol checks, enabling you to take a Lipoprotein (a) Test on its own, a cholesterol profile or as part of a full body health assessment, or in combination with diabetes testing.