When should I have my high cholesterol monitored?

Your MinuteClinic provider can perform a lipid test. MinuteClinic providers are trained to perform cholesterol screening and other tests. They can analyze the results. They will also review your medical history and lifestyle.

Following the exam, your MinuteClinic provider will help you understand the results and provide information and advice to manage your cholesterol. They may refer you for further testing and diagnosis if needed.

1. You may have to answer a few questions about symptoms to help us prepare for your visit prior to scheduling your appointment.

2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment:

   If you made your appointment online:
   Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.

   If you made your appointment in the clinic:
   Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

   If you made a MinuteClinic Virtual Care^® appointment:
   To join your virtual visit, use the link in the email or text message we sent you to confirm your appointment. Please join 15 minutes before your scheduled visit time. You will need your date of birth and ZIP code to join the visit.

3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.
4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.
5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 2,000 malaria cases are diagnosed per year in the US. Most infections occur in people who did not take proper precautions before traveling.

The most significant risk factor for developing malaria is living in or visiting areas where the disease is common. The disease is most prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions of the world where the environment is hot and humid. Malaria transmission can occur in many parts of the world, including:

• Africa
• Latin America
• Parts of the Caribbean
• Eastern Europe
• the South Pacific
• Asia (including South Asia and Southeast Asia)
• The Middle East

Before you travel, be sure to research on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website if malaria is a concern at your destination and what you can do to prepare: https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/travelers/country_table/a.html

A comprehensive cholesterol test is also called a lipid panel or lipid profile. The results of a lipid panel provide 4 measurements:

• Total cholesterol: The sum of all the types of cholesterol in your blood.
• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): The undesirable “bad” kind of cholesterol that can build up plaque and clog your blood vessels. This can increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
• High-density lipoprotein (HDL): The “good” kind that helps clear LDL from your blood vessels and keeps arteries open for blood to flow freely.
• Triglycerides: These are converted by the body from unused calories and then stored in fat cells. Hormones release triglycerides into the bloodstream for energy between meals.

Fasting is required to accurately measure your triglycerides. For the best results, do not have any food or drinks except water for 8 to 12 hours the night before the test.

Body weight, in a health care context, usually refers to body mass index (BMI). It’s a measure of how much fat is in your body in proportion to your height and weight.

A high amount of body fat can increase your risk of developing health problems such as cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerosis or a stroke.