Cholesterol is produced by your body and found in some foods. While not all cholesterol is bad, too much bad cholesterol can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.
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Key takeaways
- A simple blood test can provide valuable information about your levels of good and bad cholesterol.
- Understanding what your numbers mean can help you make simple lifestyle changes that will help protect your health.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fatty substance used by your body to build cells, produce hormones and vitamin D and help you digest food. Your body makes cholesterol naturally, and it’s also found in some foods.1,2 However, too much cholesterol can be bad for you and increase your risk of heart disease.
There are 2 main types of cholesterol:2
- low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or ‘bad’ cholesterol. This ‘bad’ cholesterol can build up on your artery walls and lead to blockages, preventing blood flow to your heart and increasing your risk of heart attack or stroke.
- high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or ‘good’ cholesterol. This ‘good’ cholesterol helps to remove cholesterol from your arteries and transports it to your liver to be broken down.
What is a cholesterol test?
A cholesterol test is a blood test (known as a lipid profile or lipid panel) primarily used to measure your total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, another type of fat.
Your provider will take a blood sample from your arm or by pricking your finger. Your GP might ask you to fast for 8 to 12 hours before your test if you have a high risk of, or are already being treated for, high cholesterol.3,4
Your results should indicate your levels of LDL, HDL and triglycerides. Ideally, your levels of LDL and triglycerides should be low, while your levels of HDL should be high. Ask your doctor to explain your results and what they mean for your health.
Your cholesterol and triglyceride levels are measured in millimoles per litre, which on the results sheet looks like mmol/L.
| Risk Level | LDL (mmol/L) | HDL(mmol/L) | Triglycerides (mmol/L) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ideal | 1.7 – 3.5 | 1.5 or above | 0.5 – 1.7 |
| Increased Risk | 3.6 – 4.5 | 1.8 – 2.5 | |
| High Risk | 4.5 and above | 2.5 and above |
Understanding your cholesterol test results
Your cholesterol and triglyceride levels are measured as mmol/L, or millimoles per litre.4 Your results will show the total amount of cholesterol present in your blood.
Different people will have different target cholesterol levels, but generally:1
- your total cholesterol level should be under 5.5mmol/L if you don’t have any risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD)
- your LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol should be under 2 mmol/L if you do have risk factors for CVD, like high blood pressure or diabetes.
If your results are higher than the recommended levels, your doctor will review your risks and discuss next steps.
It’s important to note that there are different targets for different people. Speak to your medical team about the numbers that are right for you.
When should I get a cholesterol test?
If you are Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander over the age of 18, an annual cholesterol test1 is recommended.
If you are over 45, an annual Heart Health Check with your GP will include a cholesterol test. Taking into account other health indicators, such as blood pressure, a Heart Health Check can indicate your level of risk of a heart attack or stroke in the next 5 years.
If you’re under 45 and have a family history of heart disease or stroke, are overweight or obese, smoke, or have diabetes or some other chronic health conditions, your GP may recommend having a cholesterol test.
If you’re concerned about your cholesterol, talk to your GP who may recommend getting a test.
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Our health and wellbeing information is regularly reviewed and maintained by a team of healthcare experts, to ensure its relevancy and accuracy. Everyone's health journey is unique and health outcomes vary from person to person.
This content is not a replacement for personalised and specific medical, healthcare, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your health, see your doctor or other health professional.
1 Better Health Channel. (2022). Cholesterol. Victoria State Government, Department of Health.
2 Heart Foundation. (2025). Blood cholesterol. Heart Foundation.
3 Healthdirect. (2024). Cholesterol. Healthdirect.
4 Pathology Tests Explained. (2025). Lipid profile (cholesterol and triglycerides). Pathology Tests Explained.
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