Health Experts Advise Regular Cholesterol Screening Every 4–6 Years

Elevated cholesterol often develops without clear symptoms, making blood lipid testing the primary method for early detection. Most healthy adults are advised to have a cholesterol check every four to six years, with more frequent testing for people who are older, have a family history of high cholesterol or early heart disease, or have risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, chronic kidney disease, or smoking.

In some cases, especially with familial hypercholesterolemia, physical signs may appear: yellowish patches around the eyelids (xanthélasma), a gray‑white ring around the cornea (corneal arcus), yellow‑orange nodules on the skin (xanthomas), sudden skin rashes, thickening of the Achilles or finger tendons, leg pain during walking, cold feet, or delayed wound healing. Diagnosis relies on a blood panel that measures total cholesterol, low‑density lipoprotein (LDL), high‑density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides; fasting may be required. Management typically starts with diet, regular exercise, weight control and smoking cessation, with cholesterol‑lowering medication added when lifestyle changes are insufficient or cardiovascular risk is high.