Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol tests aren’t just for the over-50 set. If you’re over 20, have your levels tested at least every five years.


When was the last time you had your cholesterol checked? High cholesterol is one of the main risk factors for heart disease, and — though cholesterol levels do climb as we age — is not limited to AARP members. Two-thirds of young adults have at least one risk factor for heart disease, but less than half of them are screened for high cholesterol. That’s according to a study in the Annals of Family Medicine.
Factors that put you at greater risk for heart disease include having a parent or sibling with heart disease, having diabetes, being overweight, smoking and not exercising. Stress is also a significant risk factor for heart disease and can rival the other more traditional risk factors, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.