HTA Details
Frequency of Testing for Dyslipidemia
- Publication date
-
2014-May-01
- Status
- Final
- Topic Area
- Cardiac Cardiovascular
- Recommendation
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Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee Recommendations:
- In individuals with normal lipid levels or dyslipidemia (e.g., abnormal levels of fat and/or cholesterol in the blood), or for individuals currently being treated for dyslipidemia, there is insufficient evidence upon which the Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee can make a recommendation on the frequency of lipid testing.
- Until higher quality evidence becomes available, the Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee recommends that consideration be given to using the current Canadian Cardiovascular Society Guidelines.
- Ministry Response
-
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care endorses this recommendation.
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To read the full OHTAC Recommendation Report for this topic, contact our Health Innovation team using the contact form to request a digital copy.
Poor diet and lifestyle choices can lead to higher levels of fat in the blood than is healthy. When too much fat circulates through the blood, it can keep several organs from operating well and lead to serious health problems, such as cardiovascular disease. About 23 percent of Canadians have abnormal levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, an unhealthy type of fat. In Ontario, patients with low and medium levels of risk for too much fat in their blood do not get tested as often as the Canadian Cardiovascular Society recommends.
It is not known how often blood needs to be tested to catch abnormal fat levels. The Canadian Cardiovascular Society currently recommends people at low to high risk of cardiovascular disease should be tested every year and people with very low risk should be tested every four to five years.
Last Updated: February 24, 2026
