The lipid profile is a group of tests that are often ordered together to determine risk of coronary heart disease. They are tests that have been shown to be good indicators of whether someone is likely to have a heart attack or stroke caused by blockage of blood vessels or hardening of the arteries (atherosclerois). The lipid profile typically includes:
- Total cholesterol
- High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) — often called good cholesterol
- Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) —often called bad cholesterol
- Triglycerides
An extended profile may also include:
Sometimes the report will include additional calculated values such as the Cholesterol/HDL ratio or a risk score based on lipid profile results, age, sex, and other risk factors. Talk to your doctor about what these other reported values may mean for you.
Cholesterol, total
A total cholesterol test is a measure of the cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. Cholesterol is a soft, fatty, wax like substance known as “lipids” which is found in all body cells. While your body needs cholesterol to work properly, too much of it can clog your arteries and lead to heart disease. Elevated cholesterol is a controllable risk factor for coronary heart disease. The risk of heart attack begins to rise as the total cholesterol level passes 140. According to the American Heart Association, individuals with cholesterol levels greater than 250 mg/dl have 3 times the risk of heart attack as those whose levels are below 200 mg/dl.
* A desirable level is less than 200 mg/dL (5.17 mmol/L)
* Levels between 200 mg/dL and 239 mg/dL (5.17–6.18 mmol/L) are considered borderline for high cholesterol.
* Levels between 200-499 mg/dL (2.26-5.63 mmol/L) are considered high.
High-Density Lipoprotein(HDL)
HDL is commonly know as the "good" cholestrol because it removes excess cholesterol from your cells and the walls of your arteries and then transports the cholesterol back to your liver for disposal. People with high levels of HDL may have less risk of heart disease. HDLs are composed of high levels of protein and low amounts of fat. HDL may actually slow or even reverse the development of artherosclerosis.
* Any HDL > 60 mg/dL (1.56 mmol/L) is considered high.
* An acceptable HDL range is between 40- 60 mg/dL (1.04–1.56 mmol/L).
Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
LDL is commonly known as the “bad” cholesterol because too much LDL in the blood can clog you arteries. Low density lipoproteins are composed of mostly cholesterol (roughly 75%). The majority of the cholesterol in your blood is found in LDL. Certain levels of LDL in your blood is normal and healthy because LDL are responsible for delivering cholesterol to the parts of your body that need it, but excess LDL can cause a buildup of cholesterol in the lining of arteries. The medical term for this process is atherosclerosis.
* LDL levels less than 100 mg/dL ( 2.6 mmol/L) are considered optimal.
* LDL levels between 100 – 129 mg/dL (2.6–3.34 mmol/L) are considered near or above optimal.
* LDL levels between 130 – 159 mg/dL (3.36–4.13 mmol/L) are considered borderline high.
* LDL levels between 160 – 189 mg/dL (4.14 - 4.90 mmol/L) are considered high.
* LDL < 70 mg is desired for individuals who has coronary artery disease.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are fats in the blood responsible for providing energy to the cells of the body. While your body produces some Triglycerides, they also come from the food you eat. Your body uses the calories from the food for immediate energy, but the leftover calories are turned into triglycerides and stored in fat cells for later use. Typically, if you consume more calories than your body needs, it can lead to a high triglyceride level. Triglycerides combine with cholesterol and protein to form lipoproteins. For example, there will be high levels of triglycerides to be processed by your body if you have a diet high in saturated fats; therefore the body produces more low density lipoproteins. The higher level of LDLs and total cholesterol increases your risk of atherosclerosis.
Very Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL)
While lipoproteins are made of cholesterol, triglycerides, and proteins, of the three substances, very low density lipoprotein contains a large amount of triglycerides and very little protein. The main purpose of VLDL is to distribute the triglycerides produced by your liver. VLDL is also considered a “Bad” protein because it helps cholesterol build on the walls of arteries. Increased levels of be associated with higher risk of heart disease and stroke.
