11 Preventive Health Screening Tests Doctors Recommend

5. Cholesterol/lipid panel

A cholesterol or lipid panel measures blood fats that influence heart disease risk, including LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. For healthy adults, testing typically starts in early adulthood and repeats every 4–6 years if results are in a healthy range; people with cardiovascular risk factors or diabetes are tested more often (AHA; USPSTF). What to expect: a nurse will draw blood, often from the arm. Some clinics ask for fasting before the test, while others accept non-fasting samples — check before your appointment. Preparation tips: confirm fasting requirements with your provider, and avoid heavy alcohol or fatty meals the night before to reduce variability. Results are used with your blood pressure, age, smoking status, and other factors to calculate your 10-year cardiovascular risk and guide whether lifestyle changes or medications like statins are recommended. Discuss family history of early heart disease with your clinician, as that may mean earlier testing or treatments.