Endocrinology

When to get your cholesterol checked?

High cholesterol can start in childhood or adolescence. That’s why current guidelines suggest beginning screenings during childhood.

• Children and teens: Get your cholesterol checked every five years starting at age nine. A child whose parents have high cholesterol or a history of heart problems may begin even sooner.
• People assigned male at birth (AMAB): Get your cholesterol checked every five years until age 45. From age 45 to 65, get checked every one to two years. After age 65, get checked every year.
• People assigned female at birth (AFAB): Get checked every five years until age 55. From age 55 to 65, get checked every one to two years. After age 65, get checked every year.

These are general guidelines. Your healthcare provider will discuss what’s best for you. For example, someone in their 20s with high cholesterol numbers may need yearly tests for a while. People with other heart disease risk factors may need more frequent tests, too.