You could have hyperlipidemia and not know it. Hyperlipidemia doesn’t cause symptoms, and in most cases is only apparent following an emergency such as a heart attack or stroke. The only way to know if you have hyperlipidemia is to have a blood test. It is recommended that you should have your cholesterol first tested at the age of 20 and it should be re-checked every 4 to 6 years after that – more frequently if there is a family history of high cholesterol or if the individual has high blood pressure, is overweight or smokes.