Fasting Before A Cholesterol Test: Should You Do It? - Healthline

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When You Should Fast Before a Cholesterol Test

Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH — Written by Rena Goldman — Updated on June 4, 2024

Fasting
Testing
Reading results
Takeaway

Key Takeaways

Fasting before a cholesterol test may not always be necessary, particularly if you are not taking statins or other cholesterol medications. Current guidelines suggest that fasting may only be required for those on cholesterol-lowering medications.
Cholesterol is tested through a blood sample, typically taken at a doctor’s office or lab, and the results are usually available within a few days to a couple of weeks. The test measures total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides to assess heart health risk.
Understanding your cholesterol test results is crucial. High levels of total cholesterol, LDL, or triglycerides, or low levels of HDL, may prompt your healthcare provider to recommend lifestyle changes or medication to reduce your risk of heart disease.

Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced by the body after eating certain foods. While the body needs some cholesterol to function properly, having too much or high cholesterol raises the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Because of this risk, knowing your cholesterol levels is an important part of good heart health. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that adults have a cholesterol test every four to six years, starting at age 20.

People with known high cholesterol levels or other chronic health conditions may benefit from more frequent testing.

Why is fasting recommended before a cholesterol test?

In the past, experts believed fasting ahead of time produced the most accurate results. This is because your low-density lipoproteins (LDL) — also known as “bad” cholesterol — may be affected by what you’ve recently eaten.

A recent meal may also affect your levels of triglycerides (another type of fat in your blood).

However, guidelines published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology say that people who aren’t taking statins may not need to fast before having their blood tested for cholesterol levels.

Depending on your situation, your healthcare professional might recommend drinking only water and avoiding food, other beverages, and certain medications for up to 12 hours before your test to ensure accurate results.

For this reason, cholesterol tests are often scheduled in the morning. That way, you don’t have to spend a whole day hungry while waiting for your test.

How is cholesterol tested?

Cholesterol is measured using a blood test. A healthcare professional draws your blood using a needle and collects it in a vial. This typically takes place at your doctor’s office or at a lab, where the blood is then analyzed.

The test only takes a couple of minutes. However, your arm might be sore or bruised around the injection site.

Your results will likely be available in a few days or within a couple of weeks.

What do your cholesterol test results mean?

Your blood will likely be checked using a total lipid profile test. To understand your results, you’ll need to know the different types of cholesterol that the test measures and what’s considered healthy, potentially high, and high.

Here’s a breakdown of each type. Keep in mind that people who have conditions such as diabetes may need to aim for even lower numbers.

Total cholesterol

Your total cholesterol is the overall amount of cholesterol in your blood.

Acceptable: Below 200 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter)
Borderline: 200 to 239 mg/dL
High: 240 mg/dL or higher

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)

LDL is the cholesterol that blocks your blood vessels and increases your risk of heart disease.

Acceptable: Below 70 if coronary artery disease is present
Below 100 mg/dL if at risk for coronary artery disease or have a history of diabetes
Borderline: 130 to 159 mg/dL
High: 160 mg/dL or higher
Very high: 190 mg/dL and above

High-density lipoprotein (HDL)

HDL cholesterol helps protect you from heart disease. This type removes excess cholesterol from your blood, helping to prevent buildup. The higher your HDL levels are, the better.

Acceptable: 40 mg/dL or higher for men and 50 mg/dL or higher for women
Low: 39 mg/dL or lower for men and 49 mg/dL or lower for women
Ideal: 60 mg/dL or higher

Triglycerides

High triglyceride levels and high LDL levels raise your risk for heart disease.

Acceptable: 149 mg/dL or lower
Borderline: 150 to 199 mg/dL
High: 200 mg/dL or higher
Very high: 500 mg/dL and higher

If your numbers are borderline or high level, your healthcare professional may recommend certain lifestyle changes or prescribe a statin. They may also want to check your levels more often.

The bottom line

Testing your cholesterol levels is an important part of keeping your heart and blood vessels healthy. In general, fasting before your test isn’t required.

However, your healthcare professional may recommend fasting if you’re already taking a cholesterol medication. Be sure to ask your healthcare professional whether you need to fast before your test.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Blood tests. (2023).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/blood-tests/
Grundy SM, et al. (2019). 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA guideline on the management of blood cholesterol: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association task force on clinical practice guidelines.https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000625
How to get your cholesterol tested. (2024).https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/how-to-get-your-cholesterol-tested
Virani SS, et al. (2023). 2023 AHA/ACC/ACCP/ASPC/NLA/PCNA guideline for the management of patients with chronic coronary disease: A report of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology joint committee on clinical practice guidelines.https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001168

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Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH — Written by Rena Goldman — Updated on June 4, 2024

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Key Takeaways

Why is fasting recommended before a cholesterol test?

How is cholesterol tested?

What do your cholesterol test results mean?

Total cholesterol

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)

High-density lipoprotein (HDL)

Triglycerides

The bottom line

How we reviewed this article:

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