Evidence suggests fasting before blood lipid testing is unnecessary

National and international guidelines recommend fasting lipid panel measurement for risk stratification of patients for prevention of cardiovascular (CV) events. Yet, the prognostic value of fasting vs. non-fasting low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is uncertain.

Non-fasting LDL-C has similar prognostic value as that of fasting LDL-C. National and international agencies should consider re-evaluating the recommendation that patients fast before obtaining a lipid panel.

Read more:
Prognostic Value of Fasting vs. Non-Fasting Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels on Long-term Mortality: Insight from the National Health and Nutrition Survey III (NHANES-III)

Source: Circulation
Image credits: Guz Brink