Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer in the United States. Undesirable levels of cholesterol, a fatty substance in the blood, raise your risk of stroke and heart attack. Baseline in your 20s. If values are within desirable ranges, every 5 years. Below 200 200-400 Above 400 Levels given in milligrams per deciliter.
Levels are for people without known cardiovascular disease.
If you have established cardiovascular disease or multiple risk factors, your physician may have different guidelines for you. Colonoscopy Examination of the entire length of your rectum and colon using a flexible colonoscope. Colonoscopy replaces the need for colon and rectal tests mentioned above and is the most definitive method. But it also carries more risk and is the most expensive. Screening typically begins at age 50.