Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the UK. The deeply frustrating reality is that for most people, the warning signs are present in their blood years — sometimes decades — before a heart attack or stroke occurs. High cholesterol produces no symptoms. Neither does early arterial damage. Yet both are detectable through a straightforward blood test, and both are very effectively managed when caught in time.
If you have a family history of heart disease, have been told your cholesterol might be high, or simply want a clear, independent picture of your cardiovascular risk, a private Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk Panel gives you the detail and clarity you need to act with confidence.
At Trupoint Health, our panel goes well beyond a basic total cholesterol reading. We measure the full lipid profile alongside an inflammation marker and offer Lipoprotein(a) as an optional add-on — giving you one of the most comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessments available outside a specialist clinic. No GP referral required. Results within 24–48 hours.
Book your Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk Panel online today.
What Does the Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk Panel Include?
Total Cholesterol
Total cholesterol represents the combined level of all cholesterol particles in the blood. While it is a useful initial indicator, total cholesterol in isolation is a poor predictor of risk. A person can have a high total cholesterol figure largely driven by protective HDL, making their actual risk considerably lower than the headline number suggests. This is why we always measure the components separately.
LDL Cholesterol (Low-Density Lipoprotein)
LDL is the primary driver of atherosclerosis — the build-up of fatty plaque inside arterial walls that eventually restricts blood flow and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Elevated LDL, particularly in the context of low HDL or other risk factors, is one of the most important and modifiable cardiovascular risk markers. Reducing LDL through diet, lifestyle, or medication is one of the most evidence-based interventions in preventive medicine.
HDL Cholesterol (High-Density Lipoprotein)
HDL is the protective form of cholesterol — it transports excess cholesterol away from artery walls and back to the liver for processing and excretion. Higher HDL is associated with lower cardiovascular risk. An elevated total cholesterol reading means very little if a significant proportion of it is HDL — context matters enormously when interpreting cholesterol results.
Total Cholesterol to HDL Ratio
The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL is widely regarded as the single most clinically meaningful cardiovascular risk indicator in a standard lipid panel. It captures both the harmful and protective components of cholesterol in a single figure, making it far more informative than any individual marker on its own. UK clinical guidelines use this ratio as a key decision-making tool for cardiovascular risk assessment.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are fats circulating in the blood, derived primarily from dietary fat and carbohydrates. Elevated triglycerides are strongly associated with poor diet, excess alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, type 2 diabetes, and insulin resistance. They are an independent cardiovascular risk factor and accurate measurement requires fasting — which is why we ask you to attend on an empty stomach.
Non-HDL Cholesterol
Non-HDL cholesterol captures all the atherogenic (plaque-forming) particles in the blood — not just LDL — and is increasingly used in UK clinical guidelines as a preferred risk marker. It is calculated as total cholesterol minus HDL and provides a more complete picture of cardiovascular risk, particularly in people with elevated triglycerides.
High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP)
hsCRP is an inflammation marker that serves as an independent cardiovascular risk factor. Chronic low-grade inflammation — even at levels that produce no symptoms — accelerates arterial damage and significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular events. Including hsCRP identifies individuals at elevated risk who might otherwise appear reassuringly normal on standard lipid markers alone.
Lipoprotein(a) — Optional Add-On
Lipoprotein(a) — Lp(a) — is a genetically determined particle that raises cardiovascular risk independently of LDL and is not affected by diet, exercise, or standard lipid-lowering medications. It is present in elevated concentrations in approximately one in five people and is one of the most underdiagnosed cardiovascular risk factors in medicine. If you have a family history of premature heart disease or stroke, Lp(a) testing is strongly worth considering.
Who Should Consider a Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk Panel?
This panel is relevant to a much wider group than those who have already been told they have a problem. Cardiovascular risk accumulates silently over years, and the most effective interventions happen early.
It is particularly important for anyone with a family history of heart disease, stroke, or high cholesterol — especially in a parent or sibling who experienced a cardiovascular event before the age of 60. Those who are overweight, physically inactive, or who smoke carry elevated cardiovascular risk and benefit from regular objective monitoring. People with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes should test regularly, as insulin resistance directly accelerates arterial damage. Anyone over 40 who has not had a recent NHS health check — or who wants a more detailed breakdown — will find this panel highly informative.
For people already taking cholesterol-lowering medication such as statins, regular private testing is an effective way to monitor whether treatment is achieving the desired results between NHS appointments.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Your appointment will typically take no more than 15 minutes. Our phlebotomist will confirm your details and take a small blood sample, usually from a vein in the crease of your elbow.
Fasting is required for this panel. To ensure accurate triglyceride and blood glucose readings, we ask you to fast for 9–12 hours before your appointment. Water is not only permitted but encouraged. Avoid coffee, fruit juice, milk, and food during the fasting window. We recommend booking a morning appointment to make fasting as easy as possible — most clients fast overnight and attend first thing.
Results are delivered securely to your personal online portal within 24–48 hours. Each marker is presented alongside its reference range and a clear explanation. If any figures are outside the normal range, we recommend discussing them with your GP.
Why Choose Trupoint Health for Your Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk Panel?
Trupoint Health’s Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk Panel provides significantly more clinical depth than basic cholesterol checks available at many pharmacies or through a standard NHS health check. By measuring the full lipid profile, the cholesterol:HDL ratio, non-HDL cholesterol, and hsCRP — with Lp(a) available as an add-on — we give you a complete, nuanced picture of your cardiovascular health rather than a single number that may obscure as much as it reveals.
No GP referral is required. You book online, attend a straightforward appointment with one of our qualified phlebotomists, and receive your results securely within 24–48 hours. All samples are processed by accredited laboratories. Our pricing is transparent and fixed — the figure you see at booking is all you pay. We serve clients across Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas, operating a confidential, UK GDPR-compliant service.
Book your Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk Panel today — take control of your health.
Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk Panel — Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a GP referral for a private cholesterol test?
No. You can book your Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk Panel directly with Trupoint Health at any time, without a GP referral. This is particularly useful if you want a more detailed breakdown than an NHS health check provides, or if you simply want prompt, independent confirmation of your cardiovascular risk profile.
How quickly will I get my results?
Results are typically delivered to your secure online portal within 24–48 hours of your appointment. Each marker — including LDL, HDL, triglycerides, the cholesterol:HDL ratio, non-HDL cholesterol, and hsCRP — is presented alongside its reference range with a clear explanation.
Do I need to fast before my Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk Panel?
Yes. We ask you to fast for 9–12 hours before your appointment to ensure accurate triglyceride and blood glucose readings. Water is fine and encouraged. Coffee, tea with milk, juice, and food should be avoided during the fasting window. Most clients find it easiest to fast overnight and attend a morning appointment.
How much does a private cholesterol test cost?
Trupoint Health operates on transparent, fixed pricing with no hidden fees. Please visit our booking page for current panel prices. Lipoprotein(a) is available as an optional add-on — contact our team if you would like to discuss including it in your panel.
What happens if my results show something abnormal?
Out-of-range results are clearly highlighted in your portal with plain-language explanations. We recommend discussing any elevated LDL, poor cholesterol:HDL ratio, or raised hsCRP with your GP, who can advise on appropriate management including dietary changes, increased physical activity, or statin therapy.
Is my data kept confidential?
Yes, fully. Trupoint Health is UK GDPR-compliant and registered with the ICO. Your personal and health data is stored securely and will never be shared with third parties — including your GP — without your explicit consent.
What is Lipoprotein(a) and should I test for it?
Lipoprotein(a) — Lp(a) — is a genetically inherited lipid particle that raises cardiovascular risk independently of LDL and is unaffected by diet or standard medications. Around one in five people have elevated Lp(a) without knowing it. We recommend adding it to your panel if you have a family history of premature heart disease or stroke, or if your standard lipid results appear normal but you have other unexplained cardiovascular risk factors.
Is high cholesterol always caused by diet?
Not always. Diet and lifestyle are significant contributing factors, but genetics plays a substantial role — particularly in familial hypercholesterolaemia, a common inherited condition that causes significantly elevated LDL regardless of how healthily someone eats. If you have consistently elevated cholesterol despite dietary effort, or if high cholesterol runs strongly in your family, a genetic contribution is worth discussing with your GP.
Book Your Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk Panel Today
Cardiovascular disease is largely preventable when risk is identified and managed early. The Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk Panel from Trupoint Health gives you a genuinely comprehensive assessment — covering the full lipid profile, the cholesterol:HDL ratio, non-HDL cholesterol, and inflammation — so you are making decisions based on a complete picture, not a single headline figure.
Book your private Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk Panel online today — no referral, no waiting, no fuss.
Have a question? Contact our team — we are happy to help you choose the right test.
You might also be interested in our General Health & Wellbeing Screen, Diabetes & Blood Sugar Test, and Corporate Health Check.