Abstaining from Food and Beverages
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that flows through your body. The body needs cholesterol to release hormones and bile, which helps in the digestion of fat. If the body gets too much cholesterol, it can get deposited in the arteries of the heart, leading to disease. The way to check cholesterol levels is with a test. The first part of this test is fasting. The day before the test, you are required to abstain from food and beverages for 12 hours. The only thing you are allowed to have is water. Alcohol is also not permitted 48 hours before the test.
Preparing for Drawing of Blood
The next part of the test involves preparation for the drawing of blood. One of two locations on the body are selected for the drawing: the top of the hand and the inside of the elbow. The area is then cleaned with an antiseptic.
Drawing the Blood
After the area has been cleaned, then the blood drawing process is ready to begin. A rubber elastic band is wrapped around the upper part of the arm to add pressure to the vein so it swells up with blood. A needle is then inserted into the vein and blood is drawn out and into a vial that is attached. The band is then removed, the needle is taken out and the area is covered up with a cotton ball to minimize bleeding. A bandage is then applied and the procedure is over.
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