Frequently Asked Questions

• Due for a cholesterol screening?

  According to the CDC, most adults should have their cholesterol checked every 4 to 6 years.¹

• Do you have a family history?

  Cholesterol tests may be appropriate for anyone, even those with a clean bill of health, especially when they have a family history of heart disease, heart attack or stroke.¹

• Being more proactive about your health?

  You can lower your risk of heart disease and heart attack by living a healthy lifestyle, including:²

• What are the main risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease?

  While a cholesterol blood test can assess your risk of cardiovascular disease, there are other contributing factors. The most common are unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as physical inactivity, smoking, excessive alcohol use and high-sodium or high-fat diets. To improve your overall heart health, consider taking steps to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels through healthy dietary choices and regular exercise.4

• Who is most at risk of developing cardiovascular disease?

  According to the CDC, those at highest risk of developing cardiovascular disease include people who have4: High blood pressureHigh low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterolDiabetesUnhealthy dietary habitsSmoking habits or exposure to secondhand smokeLow physical activityObesity

• What’s the difference between lipids and cholesterol?

  Lipids are fatty organic compounds responsible for several important functions in the body, such as storing energy and producing hormones. Cholesterol is a type of lipid in your blood that absorbs nutrients, produces hormones and helps form protective layers around your cell membranes.5 However, too much “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol can clog up your arteries, increasing your risk for heart disease. By contrast, high levels of “good” high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol helps reduce your risk for heart disease.1

• How often should I test my cholesterol levels?

  Per CDC recommendations, you should test your cholesterol levels every 4 to 6 years. However, if you have heart disease, diabetes or a family history of high cholesterol, your provider may recommend you check your cholesterol more frequently.1 Our Cholesterol and Lipid Panel Test measures your total cholesterol, plus levels of LDL, HDL and triglycerides, giving you a clearer picture of your overall heart health. This test can help you monitor your cholesterol levels and help guide discussions with your healthcare provider about further monitoring, treatment or lifestyle changes you may consider.

• How accurate is this testing?

  Your testing will be performed in a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory. Labcorp provides leading-edge medical laboratory tests and services through a national network of primary clinical laboratories and specialty testing laboratories. Our labs perform regular quality assurance testing to ensure our results are accurate.

• Are my test results private and confidential?

  Your results will be provided to you through our secure online portal to view or print. Results are also made available through a secure portal to the independent healthcare provider who placed your test order.  If you are accessing your results through your Labcorp Patient™ account, all users linked to the account will have access to all OnDemand test results. Results may also be provided to a local, state, and/or federal health authority; for example, many states require the testing laboratory and physician to report test results for certain communicable diseases, such as COVID-19, to local or state health departments.   If you have questions or comments regarding the Labcorp Notice of Privacy Practices, or have a complaint about our use or disclosure of your PHI or our privacy practices, please contact: privacyofficer@labcorp.com, call us at (877) 234-4722 (877-23-HIPAA) and ask for the Labcorp HIPAA Privacy Officer, or send a written request to: HIPAA Privacy Officer, Labcorp, 531 South Spring Street, Burlington, NC 27215. You also may file a complaint with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

• How does Labcorp OnDemand® work?

  Visit the Labcorp OnDemand® website to browse and purchase laboratory tests and create your Labcorp Patient™ account to view your results. All Labcorp OnDemand testing requires an order from an authorized healthcare professional. For your convenience, Labcorp OnDemand has contracted with independent professional entities (collectively, Providers) to deliver healthcare provider services. Visit a Labcorp location for sample collection; or, if using an at-home collection kit, collect your sample yourself. We’ll let you know when your results are ready and can be accessed through your Labcorp Patient™ account.