Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Preparing for your appointment

By Mayo Clinic staff

To check your cholesterol levels, you'll need to have blood drawn after you've been fasting. Usually, you'll need to go without eating or drinking anything but water for nine to 12 hours before your blood draw. Because of this, it's likely your doctor will recommend you have your blood drawn early in the morning.

At your appointment, your doctor may ask if you have a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease, since high cholesterol levels can be hereditary. Have this information ready, along with any other questions you might have.

DS00178

Aug. 6, 2008

© 1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Reliable tools for healthier lives," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Text Size: smaller largerlarger