Adults aged 20 and older are advised to have a baseline lipid panel every four to six years as a general health assessment. The frequency of testing may vary based on individual risk factors and underlying health conditions. Individuals with cardiovascular risk factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, or a family history of heart disease, should consider more frequent lipid panels to monitor their heart health. Those who have already been diagnosed with heart disease or are on cholesterol-lowering medications may require regular lipid panel tests to assess treatment effectiveness. People with medical conditions affecting cholesterol levels, such as thyroid, liver, or kidney disorders, may also need routine testing. All individuals with a family history of early heart disease or high cholesterol should discuss their lipid panel schedule with their healthcare provider. Pregnant women may have lipid panels during pregnancy as cholesterol levels can fluctuate during this period.

Abnormal levels of blood lipids cause fat deposits in artery walls, which initiates complications inside the blood vessels. Causes for high lipid levels include diabetes, alcoholism, kidney disease, hypothyroidism, liver disease, and stress.