Blood in Balance

The Basic Facts About Blood Lipids

The lipids (or fats) present in human blood include:

• low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
  
• high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
  
• triglycerides (TG)

These various blood lipid components must be balanced in order for your circulatory system to function correctly. Levels of HDL cholesterol should be high, while levels of the other blood lipids, including LDL cholesterol, should be low.

Although the NCEP guidelines for total cholesterol remain the same, recent medical findings have resulted in new recommendations for:

• a lower level of LDL cholesterol
• a higher level of HDL cholesterol
• reduction of elevated triglycerides as a independent risk factor

Therefore, it is important to determine the levels of these blood lipids individually, in addition to your total cholesterol. These levels can be measured with a simple blood test. This test is called a "blood lipid panel" or "complete lipoprotein profile". Because food affects the levels of lipids in your blood, it is necessary to fast for 9-12 hours before the test. For convenience, the test is usually scheduled in the morning, after fasting overnight.

 

About Cholesterol and Heart Health

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