A complete 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 various blood lipids in your capillary blood: namely the LDL and HDL cholesterols and triglycerides.

It is possible to get this test without fasting, however, you will get the most accurate result in no food or drink is consumed for 9-12 hours before getting this test.

This test is €30