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Cholesterol testing without fasting
New research suggests that eating prior to a cholesterol check doesn’t affect the result
If you’ve had a test to check your cholesterol levels, you’ll probably remember having to fast for 12 hours before the test was carried out. Now research funded by the British Heart Foundation and carried out at the University of Cambridge has shown that you don’t have to give up food and drink before having your test.
The research, carried out on data from over 300,000 people, from 68 long-term studies in 21 different countries, has shown that blood tests on patients who haven’t fasted can predict heart and circulatory disease risk just as well as tests on patients who have fasted.
"For decades, people have been asked to fast overnight before their cholesterol tests," says Professor John Danesh, who carried out the study with collaborators. "These findings indicate that cholesterol measurements are at least as good – and probably somewhat better – when made without fasting."
Cholesterol is vital for our health – it plays an essential part in how every one of our body’s cells work. However, too much cholesterol can be dangerous, increasing our risk of heart problems and stroke. As heart disease and stroke combined are the leading cause of death globally, it’s important that anyone potentially at risk of either is tested.
Spotting an increased risk of heart disease or stroke because of raised cholesterol (or other factors) can mean that your GP can give you advice and treatment to lower your cholesterol levels. This action could potentially save your life or save you from long-term disability. Even if you aren’t aware of any obvious risk factors it’s still a good move to ask for these diagnostic tests, as heart disease and stroke can strike out of the blue. Having a testing process that is simpler and more convenient should make it easier for all of us to have a cholesterol test.
The results of this study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), should influence new cardiovascular guidelines that are being drawn up for doctors in the UK, US and Europe.
Do check with your doctor first about fasting before your test. As Professor Peter Weissberg, Medical Director of the British Heart Foundation explains, some doctors may want their patients to fast for some tests.
"Some people may find that even if your cholesterol test can be done at any time, your GP may ask you to fast before your appointment so that he or she can test accurately for diabetes. If you’re having an overall health 'MOT', this will not be uncommon practice."
Useful links
- What you need to know about cholesterol
- Cholesterol: can you lower yours?
- Lower cholesterol recipe: crepes with Asian fruits
- Visit our healthy recipes section
- Visit our health channel
Useful Website
British Heart Foundation - bhf.org.uk/cholesterol
Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.
