A lipid panel is a common blood test that healthcare providers use to monitor and screen for your risk of cardiovascular disease. The panel includes three measurements of your cholesterol levels and a measurement of your triglycerides.
Why do I need a lipid panel blood test?
- Being over age 45 if you’re a man or you were assigned male at birth and over 50 if you’re a women or you were assigned female at birth.
- Having a high cholesterol result on a previous test.
- Smoking cigarettes.
- Having obesity.
- Not getting enough physical activity.
- Having high blood pressure (hypertension).
- Having diabetes or prediabetes.
- Having a first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling, who developed heart disease at an early age (under 55 in males and under 65 in females).