A complete screening cholesterol test — also called a lipid panel or lipid profile — is a blood test that can measure the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. A cholesterol test can help determine your risk of the build up of plaques in your arteries that can lead to narrowed or blocked arteries throughout your body (atherosclerosis).

A patient will not know they have high cholesterol as they cannot feel it in the same way as they can a headache but, too much cholesterol in the blood is a major risk for coronary heart disease (which may lead to a heart attack), and for a stroke.

A very small sample of blood is obtained from a finger prick test. This blood sample is then put onto a strip which is then put into a machine which determines the concentration of blood lipids in your capillary blood: namely the LDL and HDL cholesterols and triglycerides.

To get the most accurate result we advise that no food or drink (except water) is consumed for 9-12 hours before getting this test. For this reason, the best time to book your appointment is the morning.

This cost of this test is €30.