GARNER, N.C. -- A free health promotion might be the incentive that you need to have your cholesterol checked. Triangle area MinuteClinics are offering free cholesterol screenings through June 7. 

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If you haven’t had your cholesterol checked in a while, you might be surprised at how much information a simple finger prick can give you. 

 

“From that little finger prick, we can get the total cholesterol number, as well as the HDLs, which is the good cholesterol, the triglycerides, and the LDLs,” said Nurse Practitioner Kristin Broom, MinuteClinic manager. 

 

A cholesterol test measures the amount of fatty substances called lipids in your blood. The numbers tell how much of each type of cholesterol is in the blood, measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl). According to the American Heart Association, you want your total cholesterol number to be below 200. 

 

But total cholesterol only tells part of the story. 

 

Broom said a screening is a great way to make sure your cholesterol numbers are on target or not. She said the machines they are using are accurate within 10 to 15 percent of cholesterol tests run in a lab.

 

“We want to make sure that they follow up with their primary care provider, so that they can get the numbers from the lab and get started with treatment,” said Broom.

 

Although it’s not a requirement, you are encouraged to fast for 8 to 12 hours prior to your screening. That will make your results more accurate.  

 

MinuteClinics have been operating in selected CVS pharmacies around the Triangle since 2005. In addition to cholesterol screenings, they offer care for common family illnesses, immunizations and camp physicals. 

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How much do you know about cholesterol? Take this quiz from the American Heart Association.