Lipid Profile

Who should get tested for Lipid Profile Lab Test ?

You may need this test if you are at risk for CVD. Risk factors for CVD include:

• Advancing age
• Gender–men are at higher risk
• Family history
• High blood pressure
• Obesity and overweight
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Diabetes

Why should you get tested for Lipid Profile Lab Test ?

Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is a great way to keep your heart healthy. It can lower your chances of getting heart disease or having a stroke.

But first, you have to know your cholesterol numbers.

The American Heart Association recommends All adults age 20 or older should have their lipid profile (and other risk factors) checked every four to six years. Work with your doctor to determine your risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Your test results will show your cholesterol levels in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). Your total cholesterol and HDL (good) cholesterol are among numerous factors your doctor can use to predict your lifetime or 10-year risk for a heart attack or stroke. Your doctor will also take other risk factors into account, such as age, family history, smoking and high blood pressure.

A complete cholesterol test, also called a lipoprotein or lipid profile, will give you results for your HDL (good) cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, triglycerides, and your total blood (or serum) cholesterol.

What are the problems you can prevent by having Lipid Profile Lab Test ?

In case you are having high Cholesterol levels and abnormal lipid profile, frequenly there are no symptoms till it is too late, and by then the high lipid levels may have caused significant damage to your body. By screening for Lipid Profile lab test you may be able to detect abnormal cholesterol levels and you can take necessary steps to reduce the risk associated with high lipid levels. 

Some risk factors a doctor may consider when evaluating a serum cholesterol level include:

• the ratio of HDL to LDL cholesterol
• triglyceride levels
• obesity
• high blood pressure
• whether the person is a male aged 45 years or older
• whether the person has experienced menopause
• smoking or tobacco use
• family history
• type 2 diabetes
• lack of physical activity or a sedentary lifestyle
• a diet high in saturated and trans fats
• excessive alcohol consumption
• a diet very high in carbohydrates, especially when refined
• metabolic syndromes
• chronic inflammatory conditions

Complications associated with high serum cholesterol levels include:

• coronary artery disease
• stroke
• heart attack
• organ or tissue damage
• Less is known about how triglycerides impact health. However, people with high levels of triglycerides tend to be at risk for similar conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

When should you get tested for Lipid Profile Lab Test ?

Screening when no risk factors present: for adults, every four to six years; for youths, once between the ages of 9 and 11 and again between ages 17 and 21

Monitoring: at regular intervals when risk factors are present, when prior results showed high risk levels, and/or to monitor effectiveness of treatment

Following are the risk factors for coronary heart disease, in presence of which you should check your lipid profile regularly: 

• Low HDL cholesterol (less than 1.0 mmol/L in men and less than 1.2 mmol/L in women)
• Age (45 or older for men; 55 or older for women)
• Family history of early heart disease (first degree relative affected before age 60)
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• Obesity/overweight
• Physical inactivity
• Diabetes
• Chronic renal failure