Screening for Lipid Disorders

For most people, NYU Langone doctors recommend screening for lipid disorders with a blood test every five years, starting at age 20. Depending on the results, as well as your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, your doctor may suggest that you be screened more often or have additional tests.

In people with familial hypercholesterolemia—a genetic disorder of very high LDL, or “bad” cholesterol—doctors recommend that people be screened starting with a blood test as early as age two, then every year thereafter. Familial hypercholesterolemia can pose serious health risks, such as heart disease in young adults, and requires early, aggressive management to prevent complications, such as a heart attack and stroke.