LDL cholesterol

High LDL typically causes no symptoms for years while quietly contributing to plaque buildup in arteries. Over time, this increases the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke. Lifestyle factors including diet, physical activity, body weight, and smoking influence LDL levels. Monitoring LDL helps detect risk early, allowing adjustments in diet, exercise, or other preventive measures to reduce long term cardiovascular complications.

Most adults benefit from testing LDL once a year as part of a lipid panel. After a sustained dietary change, meaningful weight loss, or starting or adjusting cholesterol medication, retest at 6 to 12 weeks. Above-target results usually warrant a follow-up panel within three months.

At baseline / for screening: Once every 12 months from age 30, alongside the rest of your lipid panel. Earlier and more frequent if you have a family history of early cardiovascular disease, elevated Lp(a), or known cardiovascular risk factors.

When monitoring an intervention or change: Retest 6 to 12 weeks after a sustained lifestyle change, such as reducing saturated fat, adding soluble fibre, meaningful weight loss, or a new aerobic routine. The same window applies after starting or adjusting cholesterol-lowering medication (statin, ezetimibe, bempedoic acid, PCSK9 inhibitor). If a result was above target, reconfirm within three months once you've begun addressing the most likely driver.

Note: When triglycerides are high, calculated LDL becomes unreliable. Retest after addressing triglycerides. Pregnancy raises LDL throughout, so allow 8 to 12 weeks postpartum to read your non-pregnant baseline.