Nervous about a cholesterol test? Here’s what to expect from your walk in clinic doctor

If your doctor or someone you know recently recommended you get a cholesterol testing, there’s no need to feel nervous about it. Visiting your doctor for routine examinations and test is the best way to monitor your health. More importantly, it helps you and your doctor catch warning signs for serous conditions before they materialize into something life threatening.

If you’re aged 35 years or older and have never been screened for cholesterol, and you have no intention of being screened any time soon, then you have something to be nervous about. High cholesterol is a silent condition, with little to no symptoms until a frightening occurrence forces the person into an emergency setting. By the time an urgent care doctor finally diagnosis the condition, much of its damage is irreversible.

So you’re making the right decision by getting your cholesterol screened. But what should you expect and how should you prepare?

Most doctors will ask you refrain from eating or drinking anything besides water for at least 12 hours before going in for testing. They ask this of you because what you eat can have an immediate effect on your test. About 25 percent of our cholesterol comes from the things we eat, so if you eat something that is high in cholesterol it may mess up your test results.

If you’re going in to your doctor’s office as part of a regular checkup, then you should expect a full body physical examination as well. Your blood pressure should be measured, and the results from it will affect your doctor’s analysis of your test results. You should also honestly tell your doctor about your family history, your age and whether you smoke.

The test itself only requires a small amount of blood, typically drawn from your arm. Your blood is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. If you have other tests scheduled this day, then more blood may be taken from you for analysis.

Then you wait for your results. This can take anywhere from three days to two weeks.  Once your medical office doctor gets your results, he or she will interpret your cholesterol levels based on your family history, age, whether you smoke and your blood pressure levels.

The desirable level is a reading of less than 200 mg/dL. This means you are at low risk for coronary heart disease. If your reading exceeds this number, then you and your doctor will need to discuss a treatment plan.

If you haven’t found a walk in clinic doctor and need to get this cholesterol test, visit our medical office located at 274 Madison Avenue. You’ll meet with our incredibly friendly, professional staff and work with a certified physician that has years of experience. We also offer affordable pricing for people without insurance, and cover almost every kind of insurance for people with coverage. Pricing and a list of insurance companies we accept is available on our website walk in clinic NYC.

Be aware of your health, your body, and you cholesterol levels. Call 212.696.5900 to make an appointment.