Lipid Profile

Lipid Profile

Your lipid profile is a group of tests that will determine your risk of coronary heart disease. The profile consists of four tests: Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides. Some lipid profile reports also calculate a cholesterol risk ratio based on various factors including age, sex, and other risk factors.

Cholesterol itself is not a symptom of heart disease, but can lead to a hardening and clogging of the arteries known as atherosclerosis that restricts the flow of blood throughout the body. A blocked artery can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

In the lipid profile, total cholesterol measures the combined amount of LDL and HDL cholesterol in your system. A reading below 200 mg/dL is considered optimal. Low readings are also ideal for LDL cholesterol, the ‘bad’ cholesterol that builds up in your system. An LDL reading below 130 mg/dL is good, but a reading below 100 is considered great. In contrast, higher HDL readings are considered ideal. HDL is known as the good cholesterol, as it carries cholesterol to the liver where it is removed from the bloodstream. The ideal level of HDL cholesterol is more than 60 mg/dL.

The final test in the lipid profile is triglycerides. They store energy in your body, but when there are too many in the bloodstream, they can cause blockages as well as other health problems. Triglyceride readings below 150 mg/dL are considered ideal.

Some lipid profile reports include a cholesterol ratio, usually calculated by dividing HDL cholesterol into your total cholesterol reading. A ratio of 4 or below is ideal.

Be sure to fast for 12-14 hours before having your lipid profile tests performed to ensure accurate results.