What happens during the test?
Blood is collected into one or more small vials labelled with your information. The technician should wear fresh latex gloves and use a new, single-use needle for each procedure.
A technician or nurse wraps a wide elastic band around your upper arm to help locate the vein. Once the vein is located, usually on the inside of your elbow, the area is disinfected using alcohol swabs. The technician inserts a needle into a vein and pushes a vial onto the needle to collect the blood. The elastic band is removed and after the blood is collected, the needle removed and discarded. You will have to hold a small piece of cotton over the area until bleeding stops. A small bandage will be applied to hold the cotton in place.
The test is almost painless for most people, although feeling a slight pinch when the needle is inserted is normal. The vials of blood are then sent to a laboratory to be tested.
How should I prepare for this test?
In general, if you are having blood taken for cholesterol testing, you should not eat or drink anything except water at least 9 to 12 hours before the test. If you have had a radioactive scan in the past week, tell your doctor as this may affect the results of an LDL test.
Wear a sleeveless or loose-sleeved top so you can expose your upper arm.
Arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital.
What can I expect after the test?
Slight tenderness may occur where the needle was inserted.
Results
Your doctor can discuss your results with you. Ask your doctor when your test results should be available.
Your results are given as a number. Generally, the lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, the more acceptable a higher level of cholesterol is. Your number should be less than the target number in your risk group for cardiovascular disease. If your number is higher than the target number for your risk group, you may need treatment for high cholesterol.
Your doctor can assess your risk of having cardiovascular disease. People who have had a stroke or heart attack, or people with diabetes or peripheral arterial disease are at the highest risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
It is important to note that high levels of good (HDL) cholesterol are good, while high levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol show that you may be at risk of developing serious health problems and so may require treatment.