Importance of Lipid Profile Test Lipids are a group of fats and fatty substances that are important constituents of cells and sources of energy. Monitoring and maintaining healthy lipid levels in the blood is crucial to stay healthy. The lipid profile along with other risk factors is a good indicator to pinpoint and contain any future cardiovascular disease or stroke. Lipid profile also called lipid panel or coronary risk panel measures the specific levels of lipids in the blood. Lipoprotein particles transport cholesterol and triglycerides - two important lipids in the blood. In a lipid profile these particles are classified by their density into high density lipoproteins (HDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). While the body produces the cholesterol it needs, some of it comes from the diet. Eating foods rich in saturated fat and trans unsaturated fats or trans fats or any bad genetics can result in high levels of cholesterol in the blood. The extra cholesterol can be deposited in plaques on the inner surface of the blood vessels, narrowing and eventually blocking the blood passage. This leads to a condition called hardening of arteries or atherosclerosis which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. High levels of triglycerides in the blood are also linked to cardiovascular disease though the reason for this is still not understood. A lipid profile helps the doctor in formulating a treatment plan and a follow up. Depending on the results and other risk factors, treatment options include lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise and lipid lowering medications such as statins. Lipid profile typically includes: Total cholesterol: This test measures all of the cholesterol in all of the lipoprotein particles. High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C): This measures the cholesterol in HDL particles, also known as good cholesterol. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C): This measures the cholesterol in LDL particles also known as bad cholesterol. Usually LDL-C is calculated taking into account the total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides. Triglycerides: This measures all the triglycerides in all of the lipoprotein particles, most are in the very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). It is recommended that healthy adults with no risk factors for heart disease are tested for fasting lipid profile once every four to six years. Those with risk factors or with a high cholesterol level from a previous test should take a full lipid profile test more frequently. A lipid profile is also done regularly to determine the success of lipid lowering lifestyle or drugs called statins.
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