Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk Screening London 2026: The Complete Guide to Lipid Panels, ApoB, Lp(a) Testing and Personalised Treatment

Written By Omar Elalfy

Reviewed by the medical team at The Online GP by The Wellness | Last updated: April 2026 | GMC-registered doctors | clinic | 10 Portman Square, Marylebone, London W1H 6AZ

At a glance

The Online GP by The Wellness offers private cholesterol and cardiovascular risk screening in London from £45 for a standalone fasting lipid panel and £395 for the full Cardiovascular Risk Screening Package combining a GP consultation, comprehensive lipid panel including ApoB and Lp(a), HbA1c, blood pressure, ECG, body composition, QRISK3 calculation and personalised treatment plan. Same-day appointments are usually available. Results return within 24 to 48 hours. Treatment options include lifestyle prescription, statins, ezetimibe, bempedoic acid, and PCSK9 inhibitor referral, all aligned with NICE Clinical Guideline CG181 and the European Society of Cardiology 2023 dyslipidaemia guidelines.

Book today: WhatsApp +44 7961 280835 | Email team@thewellnesslondon.com | Call 020 3951 3429

Why does cholesterol screening matter so much in 2026?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide and the second leading cause in the UK after dementia, accounting for around 1 in 4 UK deaths according to British Heart Foundation (BHF) data. Of all the modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, raised LDL cholesterol is the single strongest, most reliably treatable, and most under-managed. Mendelian randomisation studies, large randomised trials, and systematic reviews published in The Lancet, the New England Journal of Medicine, and Circulation have demonstrated that lifelong LDL exposure is causally and dose-dependently related to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and that lowering LDL reduces events at all baseline levels.

The clinical message is unambiguous. The earlier and more sustained the LDL reduction, the greater the cumulative benefit. According to the Cholesterol Treatment Trialists' (CTT) Collaboration meta-analyses, every 1 mmol/L reduction in LDL cholesterol over five years reduces major vascular events by approximately 22%, with proportional benefit at all baseline LDL levels and across age, sex, ethnicity, and comorbidity groups. Statins, ezetimibe, bempedoic acid, and PCSK9 inhibitors all work by reducing LDL, and all show consistent cardiovascular benefit proportional to LDL reduction.

Despite this, an estimated 1 in 2 UK adults with raised cholesterol are not on appropriate treatment, and an estimated 1 in 3 UK adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) remain undiagnosed, according to data from the BHF and Heart UK. The reasons are multiple: cholesterol is silent (no symptoms until a cardiovascular event), lifestyle messaging has not translated into population-level treatment, and the conversation about statins remains polarised despite overwhelming evidence.

The Online GP by The Wellness offers a calm, evidence-based, doctor-led pathway that takes the emotion out of the cholesterol conversation. We measure what matters (LDL, ApoB, Lp(a), and the integrated cardiovascular risk picture), explain what it means, and offer the full range of treatment options from lifestyle prescription through to PCSK9 inhibitor referral. The pathway is fully aligned with NICE Clinical Guideline CG181, NICE Technology Appraisals on PCSK9 inhibitors and bempedoic acid, the 2023 European Society of Cardiology dyslipidaemia guidelines, and Heart UK FH Pathway recommendations.

Want a clear answer about your cardiovascular risk? WhatsApp +44 7961 280835

What is cholesterol and what should be measured?

Cholesterol is a fatty molecule essential to cell membranes, hormone synthesis, and bile acid production. It travels in the blood packaged into lipoprotein particles. The clinically important measurements are:

LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein): the principal carrier of cholesterol in atherosclerotic plaque formation. Lower is better. NICE recommends an absolute LDL of below 1.8 mmol/L for established cardiovascular disease, and below 2.6 mmol/L for high-risk primary prevention. The 2023 European Society of Cardiology guidelines go further, recommending LDL below 1.4 mmol/L in very high cardiovascular risk and below 1.0 mmol/L in patients with recurrent events.

HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein): higher is generally better, but recent evidence has tempered the historical view. Very high HDL (above 2.5 mmol/L) is no longer reliably associated with reduced cardiovascular events. HDL is more useful as a risk marker than as a treatment target.

Total cholesterol: the sum of LDL, HDL, and triglyceride-related cholesterol. Useful as a screening number; less precise than direct LDL or ApoB measurement.

Triglycerides: the principal fat in the bloodstream after meals. Persistently raised triglycerides are an independent cardiovascular risk marker and a feature of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. Severe elevation (above 10 mmol/L) carries pancreatitis risk.

Non-HDL cholesterol: total cholesterol minus HDL. A useful summary measure of all atherogenic lipoproteins. Recommended as a primary lipid target by NICE.

Apolipoprotein B (ApoB): a single ApoB molecule attaches to each atherogenic lipoprotein particle (LDL, VLDL, IDL, Lp(a)). Measuring ApoB therefore directly counts the number of atherogenic particles. ApoB is more accurate than LDL when triglycerides are raised, when LDL is low, in metabolic syndrome, and in diabetes. The European Society of Cardiology and the American Heart Association both endorse ApoB as a refined cardiovascular risk marker.

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)): a genetically determined cardiovascular risk factor independent of LDL. About 1 in 5 adults have raised Lp(a) (above 50 mg/dL or 125 nmol/L), associated with significantly increased risk of cardiovascular events, calcific aortic stenosis, and venous thrombosis. Lp(a) is measured once in life under most guidelines, because it is largely genetically fixed and minimally responsive to lifestyle. The 2023 European Atherosclerosis Society consensus recommends universal Lp(a) screening at least once.

Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1): the principal protein in HDL particles; an HDL-side risk marker.

ApoB:ApoA1 ratio: a powerful single number summarising the balance between atherogenic and protective lipoprotein particles.

The Online GP by The Wellness Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk Package at £395 measures all of these alongside the integrated risk picture. The standalone fasting lipid panel at £45 measures the principal lipid markers (LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides, non-HDL). The advanced lipid panel at £195 adds ApoB and Lp(a).

What is QRISK3 and how is it used?

QRISK3 is the cardiovascular risk calculator recommended by NICE for primary prevention assessment in the UK. It estimates the 10-year risk of having a heart attack or stroke based on a comprehensive set of inputs: age, sex, ethnicity, postcode-based deprivation, smoking, diabetes, family history of premature cardiovascular disease, BMI, systolic blood pressure, total and HDL cholesterol, chronic kidney disease, atrial fibrillation, rheumatoid arthritis, blood pressure variability, severe mental illness, treated antipsychotic use, regular steroid use, erectile dysfunction (in men), and migraine.

QRISK3 is more accurate than the older Framingham score in UK populations because it has been derived and validated specifically in UK primary care data. The current NICE recommendation is that adults aged 25 to 84 without established cardiovascular disease have their QRISK3 calculated at routine check, with treatment intensification recommended at certain thresholds:

  • QRISK3 below 10%: lifestyle prescription, repeat assessment in 5 years

  • QRISK3 10% or above: NICE recommends offering atorvastatin 20mg for primary prevention, alongside lifestyle prescription

  • QRISK3 20% or above: high-priority for treatment intensification with consideration of higher statin dose

QRISK3 is not used in patients with established cardiovascular disease (post-MI, post-stroke, established angina, peripheral arterial disease, established type 1 diabetes, familial hypercholesterolaemia, or severe chronic kidney disease) because these patients are by definition very high-risk and warrant immediate intensive lipid-lowering treatment. The Online GP by The Wellness calculates QRISK3 routinely as part of the £395 package, integrating it with ApoB, Lp(a), and the broader cardiovascular picture.

Who should consider cholesterol and cardiovascular risk screening?

NICE, the British Heart Foundation, Heart UK, and the European Society of Cardiology recommend cardiovascular risk screening for the following groups. If you fit any of these, screening is high-value.

Routine adult screening:

  • All adults aged 40 and over (NHS Health Check eligibility)

  • Adults from age 25 if any cardiovascular risk factor present

  • Adults of any age with a positive family history

Family history:

  • First-degree relative with premature coronary heart disease (men under 55, women under 65)

  • Family history suggestive of familial hypercholesterolaemia

  • Family history of raised Lp(a) or premature stroke

Existing risk factors:

  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)

  • Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or insulin resistance

  • Type 1 diabetes

  • Chronic kidney disease (eGFR below 60)

  • Obesity, particularly central obesity

  • Smoking, current or recent

  • Excess alcohol consumption

  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD/MASLD)

  • Inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis

  • HIV (associated with accelerated atherosclerosis)

  • Severe mental illness, with or without antipsychotic medication

Specific patient groups:

  • Anyone with a previous cardiovascular event (MI, stroke, TIA, PAD, established angina)

  • Anyone with documented coronary artery calcification or carotid plaque on imaging

  • Patients on long-term oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, or testosterone replacement therapy

  • Patients on long-term medications affecting lipids (corticosteroids, some HIV antivirals, ciclosporin)

If you fit any of these, a baseline lipid panel and cardiovascular risk assessment is one of the highest-value preventive checks available.

Not sure if you should be screened? WhatsApp +44 7961 280835 | Email team@thewellnesslondon.com

What does the Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk Package include?

The Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk Screening Package at The Online GP by The Wellness costs £395 and includes everything required for a comprehensive cardiovascular risk baseline in a single same-day visit. The package mirrors the assessment a cardiology consultant would arrange in clinic, but delivered same-day in Marylebone with onward consultant cardiology referral relationships available where required.

The £395 package includes:

  • A 30-minute GP consultation with a GMC-registered doctor, including focused medical history, family history, lifestyle assessment, dietary review, exercise review, alcohol and smoking screen, mental health screen, and review of all current medications

  • Comprehensive cardiovascular blood panel processed at our partner laboratory The Doctors Laboratory (TDL) with results returned in 24 to 48 hours

  • Body composition assessment: weight, height, BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage where indicated

  • Repeat blood pressure measurement protocol following NICE-recommended approach (multiple readings, both arms, ambulatory or home monitoring referral if indicated)

  • 12-lead ECG at the same visit, interpreted by the doctor with cardiology referral if any concern

  • QRISK3 calculation integrated with the broader risk picture

  • SCORE2 calculation for European Society of Cardiology-aligned risk assessment where appropriate

  • Personalised written action plan with results, interpretation, treatment recommendations, lifestyle prescription, and clear next steps

  • Follow-up consultation by phone or video to discuss the report and refine the plan

The £595 Comprehensive Plus package adds a structured 12-week reassessment with repeat lipid panel, blood pressure, weight, and waist circumference, plus access to optional cardiac CT calcium score referral (separately priced through partner imaging centres) for patients with intermediate cardiovascular risk where this would refine treatment decisions.

What does the comprehensive cardiovascular blood panel test?

The comprehensive cardiovascular panel at The Online GP by The Wellness measures 25 distinct biomarkers across six clinical domains, providing a far more complete picture than a basic lipid panel. This is significantly broader than the standard NHS cholesterol screen.

Lipoprotein and lipid profile (the core cardiovascular markers):

  • Total cholesterol

  • LDL cholesterol (calculated and direct measurement methods)

  • HDL cholesterol

  • Non-HDL cholesterol

  • Triglycerides

  • Apolipoprotein B (ApoB)

  • Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1)

  • ApoB:ApoA1 ratio

  • Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) measured once in life

Glucose metabolism:

  • HbA1c (essential for cardiovascular risk; diabetes is a major risk factor)

  • Fasting glucose

  • Fasting insulin and HOMA-IR (where insulin resistance is suspected)

Kidney function:

  • Urea, creatinine, eGFR

  • Urine albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR)

Liver function:

  • ALT, AST, GGT, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, albumin

  • Important for both fatty liver assessment and pre-statin baseline

Inflammation and other risk markers:

  • High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), an inflammation marker associated with cardiovascular risk

  • Homocysteine (raised levels associated with cardiovascular events; B-vitamin deficiency is a treatable cause)

  • TSH (thyroid dysfunction affects lipids and cardiovascular risk)

  • Vitamin D (deficiency associated with cardiovascular events)

  • Vitamin B12 and folate (deficiency raises homocysteine)

Iron studies:

  • Ferritin, transferrin saturation (haemochromatosis screen)

Specialist markers where indicated:

  • NT-proBNP (heart failure marker, where heart failure is suspected)

  • Troponin (where myocardial injury is suspected)

This breadth means the panel detects not just dyslipidaemia but the broader metabolic and inflammatory landscape that drives atherosclerotic risk.

Want to discuss which tests are right for your situation? WhatsApp +44 7961 280835

What treatment options are available for raised cholesterol in 2026?

The lipid-lowering therapy landscape has expanded substantially over the past decade. The Online GP by The Wellness offers the full range of evidence-based options, with treatment selected based on cardiovascular risk, baseline LDL, family history, prior treatment response, and patient preference.

Lifestyle modification (foundation of all treatment):

  • Mediterranean dietary pattern (strongest evidence base, PREDIMED trial)

  • Reduction in saturated fat to under 10% of total energy intake

  • Increase in soluble fibre (oats, beans, lentils, fruit) reducing LDL by approximately 5 to 10%

  • Plant sterols and stanols at 2g per day reducing LDL by 8 to 10%

  • Soy protein modestly reducing LDL

  • Weight loss at 5 to 10% of body weight, reducing LDL and triglycerides

  • Aerobic exercise 150 minutes per week, plus resistance training, particularly improving HDL and triglycerides

  • Smoking cessation, with rapid HDL and overall cardiovascular benefit

  • Alcohol moderation under 14 units per week

Lifestyle alone reduces LDL by typically 10 to 20%, sufficient for low-risk patients but rarely enough alone for moderate-to-high risk patients.

Statins (first-line pharmacotherapy):

  • Atorvastatin (typical doses 20mg primary prevention, 80mg secondary prevention)

  • Rosuvastatin (typical doses 10mg primary, 20 to 40mg secondary)

  • Simvastatin (older generation, lower-cost, 20 to 40mg)

  • Pravastatin (lower-potency, useful in drug interaction contexts)

  • Fluvastatin (rarely used in modern practice)

Statins reduce LDL by 30 to 55% depending on agent and dose. They reduce major cardiovascular events by approximately 20 to 25% per 1 mmol/L LDL reduction. Side effects include muscle aches (clinically significant in around 5% of patients, though placebo-controlled trials show much lower true incidence), liver enzyme elevation (managed by monitoring), and a small increase in new-onset diabetes (more than offset by cardiovascular benefit at population level).

The Online GP by The Wellness offers honest, balanced statin discussions. We are not anti-statin (the evidence is overwhelming) and we are not pro-statin (some patients are genuinely intolerant). We help each patient reach the right decision for their cardiovascular risk and clinical context.

Ezetimibe (cholesterol absorption inhibitor):

  • Reduces LDL by 15 to 22% added on top of statin

  • Cardiovascular event reduction confirmed in IMPROVE-IT trial

  • Well tolerated, useful in statin-intolerant patients or as add-on

  • Often used in combination with low-dose statin

Bempedoic acid:

  • Newer (NICE TA694, 2021) oral lipid-lowering agent

  • ATP citrate lyase inhibitor, working at a different point in the cholesterol synthesis pathway

  • Reduces LDL by 17 to 20% on top of optimised statin

  • CLEAR Outcomes trial 2023 showed cardiovascular benefit

  • Useful in statin-intolerant patients

  • NICE-approved for primary and secondary prevention in specific scenarios

PCSK9 inhibitors (alirocumab, evolocumab):

  • Injectable monoclonal antibodies, fortnightly or monthly subcutaneous injection

  • Reduce LDL by 50 to 60% on top of optimised statin and ezetimibe

  • FOURIER and ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trials confirmed cardiovascular benefit

  • NICE-approved (TA393, TA394) for specific high-risk groups including familial hypercholesterolaemia and very high cardiovascular risk

  • Initiation requires consultant lipidology or cardiology assessment, which The Wellness coordinates

Inclisiran:

  • siRNA-based PCSK9 lowering agent given as twice-yearly injection

  • NICE-approved (TA733) for specific high-risk groups

  • Available through NHS specialist pathway and selected private cardiology services

Icosapent ethyl (Vazkepa):

  • High-purity prescription EPA omega-3

  • Reduces cardiovascular events in patients with raised triglycerides on statin therapy (REDUCE-IT trial)

  • NICE-approved (TA805) for specific groups

Fibrates and bile acid sequestrants:

  • Used in specific scenarios (severe hypertriglyceridaemia, pregnancy)

The Online GP by The Wellness prescribes the first three lipid-lowering classes (statins, ezetimibe, bempedoic acid) directly through our doctor-led pathway, and coordinates referral to consultant lipidology partners for PCSK9 inhibitor initiation, inclisiran, and icosapent ethyl assessment.

Considering treatment options? WhatsApp +44 7961 280835

What about familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH)?

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a genetic condition causing markedly raised LDL cholesterol from birth and substantially increased cardiovascular risk. Heterozygous FH (one abnormal gene copy) affects approximately 1 in 250 UK adults, making it one of the most common serious genetic conditions. Untreated, it leads to cardiovascular events typically 20 years earlier than the general population. Despite this, an estimated 1 in 3 people with FH in the UK remain undiagnosed.

Screening criteria suggesting possible FH include:

  • LDL cholesterol persistently above 5.0 mmol/L on at least two readings

  • Premature coronary heart disease in a first-degree relative (men under 55, women under 65)

  • Premature cardiovascular disease in a second-degree relative

  • Tendon xanthomata (cholesterol deposits in tendons, particularly Achilles)

  • Corneal arcus before age 45

  • Known FH in the family

The Online GP by The Wellness uses the Simon Broome and Dutch Lipid Clinic Network criteria for FH screening, which are the standards recommended by NICE Clinical Guideline CG71. Patients meeting clinical criteria are offered:

  • Confirmation testing with repeat lipid panel and exclusion of secondary causes

  • Genetic testing through partner laboratories for the principal FH-causing genes (LDLR, APOB, PCSK9, LDLRAP1)

  • Cardiovascular imaging as appropriate (carotid intima-media thickness, cardiac CT calcium score, coronary CT angiography)

  • Cascade screening of family members, the highest-yield strategy for finding undiagnosed cases

  • Specialist lipidology referral for treatment intensification

  • Statin therapy at high intensity (typically atorvastatin 80mg or rosuvastatin 40mg)

  • Ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitor pathway as required to achieve LDL targets

  • Long-term cardiovascular monitoring

Heart UK and the British Inherited Metabolic Disease Group provide patient resources and family support. We coordinate access to consultant lipidology specialists for confirmed FH cases, with PCSK9 inhibitor treatment available through NICE-approved pathways.

How does The Wellness compare with other London cholesterol screening options?

London offers many pathways for self-pay cholesterol and cardiovascular risk screening. The table below summarises the main options in 2026, based on publicly available pricing.

ProviderFasting lipid panelComprehensive packagePathwayThe Online GP by The Wellness£45£395Doctor-led, integrated GP, ECG, ApoB, Lp(a), QRISK3, multilingual, MaryleboneWalk-in Clinic London£45–£75£150–£295Self-service, doctor on callMarylebone Diagnostic Centre (MDC)£45£295–£395Diagnostic-led, doctor on sitePrivate Blood Tests London (PBT)£29£150–£295Self-service phlebotomy, no integrated GPBupa Health Assessmentsn/a as standaloneWithin £400–£900 health checksHospital-based, broader assessmentHCA Cardiology£200–£500£1,500–£3,000Hospital cardiology, premiumOneWelbeck Cardiology£350+£1,000–£2,500Consultant cardiology, premiumNHS GP (with eligibility)FreeFree, slowerStandard NHS pathway

The Online GP by The Wellness occupies the doctor-led, integrated, mid-tier price band. Materially less expensive than HCA, OneWelbeck, or full Bupa executive health screening, and meaningfully more thorough than self-service blood test providers (which deliver numbers without integrated clinical interpretation, ECG, blood pressure, ApoB or Lp(a) in many cases).

The differentiators that matter to our patients in 2026:

  • Doctor-led pathway with clinical interpretation and prescription

  • Same-day consultation, vital signs, ECG, body composition, and blood draw in one 30 to 60 minute visit

  • Comprehensive 25-marker panel including ApoB, Lp(a), HbA1c, hsCRP, homocysteine

  • NICE and ESC-aligned pathway integrating QRISK3 and SCORE2 risk calculators

  • Direct prescribing pathway for statins, ezetimibe, and bempedoic acid

  • Consultant lipidology referral pathway for PCSK9 inhibitors and complex cases

  • Marylebone medical clinic at 10 Portman Square, walking distance from Baker Street, Bond Street, and Marble Arch

  • Multilingual care in English, Arabic, Spanish, French, and Dutch

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to fast for the cholesterol test?

For the most accurate triglyceride measurement, a 12-hour fast is preferred. Fasting also improves accuracy of fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR calculations. LDL, HDL, ApoB, and Lp(a) can be measured non-fasting with minor accuracy reduction. The Online GP by The Wellness will advise on timing at booking; most patients schedule a morning appointment after overnight fasting.

How often should cholesterol be tested?

NICE recommends 5-yearly cardiovascular risk reassessment from age 25 to 84, more frequently in patients with established risk factors or on lipid-lowering treatment. Patients on stable statin therapy typically have lipid panels every 6 to 12 months. Patients with raised Lp(a) only need it measured once in life because it is largely genetically fixed.

Can lifestyle alone fix high cholesterol?

For mildly raised cholesterol with low cardiovascular risk, lifestyle modification can achieve adequate LDL reduction (typically 10 to 20%). For moderately raised cholesterol with intermediate risk, lifestyle alone is rarely sufficient and most patients benefit from at least low-dose statin in addition. For familial hypercholesterolaemia or established cardiovascular disease, lifestyle is essential but pharmacotherapy is required.

Will I get drug side effects on a statin?

Most patients tolerate statins well. In randomised placebo-controlled trials, the rate of muscle symptoms attributable to statin (above placebo) is around 1 to 2% of patients. In observational practice, patients report muscle symptoms in around 5 to 10% of cases, though many of these are not statin-causal. The Online GP by The Wellness offers structured statin trial protocols including dose reduction, statin switching, and intermittent dosing strategies for patients with documented statin intolerance.

What is the difference between LDL and ApoB?

LDL cholesterol measures the cholesterol carried by LDL particles. ApoB measures the number of atherogenic lipoprotein particles (LDL plus VLDL plus IDL plus Lp(a)). Because each atherogenic particle carries one ApoB molecule, ApoB directly counts the number of particles. ApoB is more accurate than LDL when triglycerides are raised, in metabolic syndrome, and in patients with low LDL but high particle number. The European Society of Cardiology endorses ApoB as a refined risk marker.

What is Lp(a) and should I get it tested?

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is a genetically determined cardiovascular risk factor. About 1 in 5 adults have raised Lp(a), associated with increased cardiovascular event risk independent of LDL. The 2023 European Atherosclerosis Society consensus recommends universal Lp(a) screening at least once in life, because the result changes risk stratification and treatment intensity. The Online GP by The Wellness measures Lp(a) as part of the £195 advanced lipid panel and the £395 comprehensive package.

Can The Wellness prescribe PCSK9 inhibitors?

PCSK9 inhibitor initiation requires consultant lipidology or cardiology assessment to confirm eligibility under NICE TA393 and TA394 (familial hypercholesterolaemia, very high cardiovascular risk). The Online GP by The Wellness coordinates referral to consultant lipidology partners for PCSK9 inhibitor initiation. Once stabilised, ongoing prescribing can be managed in primary care with consultant oversight.

What about cardiac CT calcium score?

Cardiac CT calcium score is a refined risk stratification tool useful for patients in the intermediate QRISK3 range (10 to 20%) where the score might shift treatment decisions. A score of zero is highly reassuring. A high calcium score reclassifies risk upward and supports more intensive lipid-lowering. The Online GP by The Wellness arranges referral to partner imaging centres (typically £300 to £600) when this would meaningfully change management.

Does private medical insurance cover cholesterol screening?

Most major UK private medical insurers (Bupa, AXA, Vitality, WPA, Aviva) cover cardiovascular investigation when there is a clinical indication such as chest pain, raised cholesterol on previous testing, or family history. Pure preventive screening for asymptomatic patients without risk factors is usually self-pay. Many higher-tier policies and global policies (Bupa Global, Cigna Global) include preventive screening. We provide structured receipts to support insurance claims.

Why The Online GP by The Wellness for cholesterol and cardiovascular risk screening?

The Online GP by The Wellness brings together the elements that matter for accurate, fast, dignified cardiovascular risk assessment: GMC-registered doctors, comprehensive blood testing through The Doctors Laboratory, CQC registration, integrated same-day pathways, and full prescribing and consultant referral relationships across the cardiovascular medicine ecosystem.

What sets us apart in 2026:

  • Doctor-led pathway with clinical interpretation, not just blood test numbers

  • Comprehensive 25-marker panel including ApoB, Lp(a), hsCRP, homocysteine

  • NICE CG181 and ESC 2023 aligned clinical pathway with QRISK3 and SCORE2 calculation

  • Same-day consultation, ECG, body composition, blood pressure, and blood draw in one visit

  • Direct prescribing of statins, ezetimibe, and bempedoic acid

  • Consultant lipidology referral for PCSK9 inhibitors, inclisiran, and complex cases

  • Marylebone medical clinic at 10 Portman Square, walking distance from Baker Street, Bond Street, and Marble Arch

  • Multilingual care in English, Arabic, Spanish, French, and Dutch

  • Integration with broader services including diabetes screening, liver health, executive health, hormone optimisation

  • Honest, balanced statin discussion with structured options for statin-intolerant patients

For UK residents wanting fast access without NHS waits; for patients with positive family history or rising cardiovascular risk; for executives wanting a baseline; for international patients consolidating a comprehensive workup in London; and for patients with established cardiovascular disease wanting tighter ongoing risk management, the Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk Screening Package is one of the highest-value preventive checks available in private medicine in 2026.

Book your cholesterol screening today

Same-week appointments are usually available; same-day slots often available for patients with urgent clinical concerns. Multilingual GMC-registered doctors, transparent pricing, and a written report you can share with any clinician.

WhatsApp: Message +44 7961 280835 for a same-day reply.

Email: team@thewellnesslondon.com

Phone: 020 3951 3429

In-person: The Wellness, 10 Portman Square, Marylebone, London W1H 6AZ. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday 9am–5pm.

Related guides at The Wellness

References and further reading

NICE Clinical Guideline CG181: Cardiovascular disease: risk assessment and reduction, including lipid modification

NICE Clinical Guideline CG71: Familial hypercholesterolaemia identification and management

NICE Technology Appraisals on PCSK9 inhibitors (TA393, TA394), inclisiran (TA733), bempedoic acid (TA694), icosapent ethyl (TA805)

European Society of Cardiology and European Atherosclerosis Society Guidelines on the management of dyslipidaemias, 2019 and 2023 updates

Cholesterol Treatment Trialists' (CTT) Collaboration meta-analyses

British Heart Foundation 2026 cardiovascular disease statistics

Heart UK Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Pathway

PREDIMED trial on Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular events

IMPROVE-IT, FOURIER, ODYSSEY OUTCOMES, CLEAR Outcomes trial publications

The Doctors Laboratory clinical reference ranges and methodology

Omar Elalfy
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