PrivateCholesterolTest:knowyournumbers
You can't feel high cholesterol. There's no ache and no warning sign, yet over half of the people we test (54.8%*) have elevated or borderline levels. Every Bluecrest Health MOT includes a cholesterol test. A cholesterol test is your first step towards taking charge of your heart health. Book at over 400 venues across the UK, within 20 minutes of your home or work.
Every Health MOT includes a cholesterol test
Every Bluecrest Health MOT includes a cholesterol and advanced diabetes blood profile, alongside a wider look at your heart and circulation. Our private Cholesterol Test is an easy and accurate way to understand if you have high cholesterol and other early warning signs of heart disease.
Fast, accurate results
Competitively priced testing within 20 minutes of your home
Detailed, personalised Results Report
Access to our 24/7 GP service with all test packages
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a type of fat in your blood. Most of it is made by your liver, and some comes from food such as red meat, full-fat dairy and fried foods.
It often gets a bad name, but your body needs it. Cholesterol:
- Forms part of the outer layer of every cell in your body
- Helps make vitamin D and steroid hormones, which keep your bones, teeth and muscles healthy
- Helps make bile, which you need to digest fats
The problem comes when there's too much of the wrong kind. Over time, excess cholesterol can build up in your artery walls, narrowing them and raising your risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke.
The different types of cholesterol, explained
Cholesterol can't travel through your blood on its own, so it's carried in small parcels of fat and protein called lipoproteins. The type of lipoprotein makes a big difference to your heart health. A cholesterol blood test, also known as a lipid panel or lipid profile, measures:
- LDL cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein, often called "bad" cholesterol. Too much LDL can lead to a build-up of fatty plaque in your artery walls (atherosclerosis), which can slow or block blood flow and lead to angina, heart attacks and strokes.
- HDL cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein, often called "good" cholesterol. HDL helps clear excess cholesterol from your blood vessels and cells, and helps protect your artery walls. Higher HDL is generally linked to better protection against heart disease.
- Non-HDL cholesterol: your total cholesterol minus your HDL. It covers all the "bad" types together, including LDL and VLDL, so the lower it is, the better.
- Triglycerides: another type of blood fat, often carried alongside cholesterol. High levels can add to your risk of heart disease, particularly when combined with other risk factors.
- Total cholesterol to HDL ratio (TC:HDL): your total cholesterol divided by your HDL. This ratio gives a useful picture of your overall balance, and a lower figure is better.
What are healthy cholesterol levels?
Here's a general guide for healthy adults. If you already have a condition such as diabetes, your doctor may recommend lower targets.
| Measurement | Healthy level (mmol/L) |
|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | Below 5.0 |
| Non-HDL cholesterol | Below 4.0 |
| LDL cholesterol | Below 3.0 |
| HDL cholesterol | Above 1.0 for men, above 1.2 for women |
| TC:HDL ratio | The lower the better. Above 6 is considered high risk |
Why take a cholesterol test?
More than a third of first-time customers (35.5%) find a cholesterol flag they weren't already being treated for.*
- Early detection: A cholesterol test helps identify abnormal cholesterol levels early on, allowing for timely intervention and lifestyle modifications to reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Risk assessment: Results from the test are used to assess your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. High LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, along with low HDL cholesterol, may indicate an increased risk.
- Treatment monitoring: For individuals already diagnosed with high cholesterol or undergoing treatment, regular cholesterol blood tests help monitor the effectiveness of medications and lifestyle changes.
- Preventive healthcare: Even if you feel healthy, a cholesterol blood test can be a preventive measure to catch potential issues before symptoms arise, promoting proactive health management.
The good news: your numbers can change
A cholesterol flag isn't a life sentence. With the right information, many people make changes that show up in their next results.
30.5%* of our returning customers who had high non-HDL cholesterol were back in the green by their next assessment.
“One of the most significant revelations was my cholesterol levels, the report highlighted elevated LDL, a risk factor for heart disease. My car has dashboard warning lights, but my body doesn’t.” - Robert, Bluecrest customer
How It Works
1. Select and book your package
View our health test packages and book a full body private health check. All our individual tests can be added to any of our private health check packages. Just call our team on 0800 652 2183 before your appointment to add an extra test.
2. Make an appointment
Choose the venue, date and time that suits you. With over 2000 appointments available nationwide every week, you're sure to find a convenient time, date and venue.
3. Attend your appointment
A trained phlebotomist will carry out your assessment. The whole process only takes around 20 - 30 minutes.
4. Fast, accurate results
Your results will be available 24/7 through our online dashboard, My Wellness. You will receive an email notification as soon as your results are ready for viewing. Processing times vary by test, with some results accessible on the dashboard in as little as three days. The online dashboard also provides easy access to a downloadable PDF, making it simple to share your results with your GP.
Private Health Checks for Complete Peace of Mind
Our full body private health checks are designed for people who want to take control of their health. Our tests are quick, accurate, convenient and completely stress-free. No waiting for an appointment, clinically safe procedures, no embarrassing questions, no long travel times and no busy waiting rooms.
Trained phlebotomists carry out all tests in over 350 venues across the UK and Ireland, so you get accurate professional health checks within 20 minutes of your home. Our private health checks include all the tests you need to take a proactive approach to monitoring and improving your health.
Any individual tests can be added to any full body health check. Just book one of our full body private health assessments and call us before your appointment to add an extra test.
Need help? Call free on 0800 652 2183 to speak to one of our team.
*Source: Bluecrest Wellness Health Assessment Data.
FAQs
Your test results and other readings will each be given a 'flag' of a different colour: green, amber or red. Green results are within the recommended range for your age and sex; amber results are slightly outside what we'd normally expect; and red results are further outside the norm.
Where a result is amber or red, we'll give follow-up advice on what to do next, whether that's making lifestyle changes, simply monitoring the result, or visiting your healthcare provider for further investigation. If there are any critical results discovered by our laboratory, we will contact you immediately, so you won't need to wait for your full Results Report to arrive to take appropriate action.
Full preparation instructions will be provided in writing when you book your appointment.
Every Health MOT already includes a cholesterol test. If you've booked another package, call our team on 0800 652 2183 before your appointment to add it.
We have established partnerships with leading laboratories in the UK, ensuring the utmost confidence and accuracy of your results. Our UKAS-accredited partners are regulated by the Care Quality Commission.
High cholesterol can often be effectively managed through proactive lifestyle changes and, if necessary, medical interventions. Here are strategies to help reduce high cholesterol:
- Healthy eating: Adopt a heart-healthy diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Limit saturated and trans fats.
- Regular exercise: Engage in activities like brisk walking or jogging to boost "good" cholesterol and enhance cardiovascular health.
- Weight control: Maintain a healthy weight through balanced eating and regular exercise.
- Quit smoking and limit alcohol: Quitting smoking can improve "good" cholesterol levels and reduce cardiovascular risk. Moderate your alcohol intake.
- Medication: If necessary, prescribed medications, like statins, can effectively lower cholesterol.
- Regular check-ups: Schedule periodic cholesterol tests and follow the recommendations of your healthcare provider.
- Manage conditions: Control diabetes and hypertension, as they can contribute to high cholesterol.
