A lipid panel is a common blood test that healthcare providers use to monitor and screen for your risk of cardiovascular disease. The panel includes three measurements of your cholesterol levels and a measurement of your triglycerides
Other common names for a lipid panel include:
- Lipid profile.
- Lipid test.
- Cholesterol panel.
- Coronary risk panel.
- Fasting lipid panel or non-fasting lipid panel.
Seeing an abnormal test result can be stressful. Know that having an abnormal lipid panel result doesn’t necessarily mean you need treatment. While cholesterol and triglyceride levels can play a significant role in your overall health, many other factors contribute to your risk for cardiovascular disease. Your healthcare provider will take many factors about your health and history into consideration when determining the next steps. Together you will decide on a plan that works best for you.
Why it’s done
High cholesterol usually causes no signs or symptoms. A complete cholesterol test is done to determine whether your cholesterol is high and to estimate your risk of heart attacks and other forms of heart disease and diseases of the blood vessels.
A complete cholesterol test includes the calculation of four types of fats in your blood:
- Total cholesterol. This is the sum of your blood’s cholesterol content.
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. This is called “bad” cholesterol. Too much of it in your blood causes the buildup of fatty deposits (plaques) in your arteries (atherosclerosis), which reduces blood flow. These plaques sometimes rupture and can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. This is called the “good” cholesterol because it helps carry away LDL cholesterol, thus keeping arteries open and your blood flowing more freely.
- Triglycerides. Triglycerides are a type of fat in the blood. When you eat, your body converts calories it doesn’t need into triglycerides, which are stored in fat cells. High triglyceride levels are associated with several factors, including being overweight, eating too many sweets or drinking too much alcohol, smoking, being sedentary, or having diabetes with elevated blood sugar levels.
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Refs-
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/17176-lipid-panel
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