Know about Lipid Profile Test and its Components

A lipid profile, also known as a lipid panel, is a blood test used to measure your cholesterol levels. Types of fat known as lipids don’t degrade in the blood. If your lipid levels are high, you are more likely to develop heart disease, have a heart attack, or suffer a stroke. 

A lipid profile is a group of blood tests that determine the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Simply said, these are fatty acids in your blood. Unhealthy cholesterol levels can block your arteries, increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke. These also result in unhealthy weight gain.

Components of lipid

As was already discussed, the lipid profile gives important information about the amounts of cholesterol in the blood. It provides a realistic explanation of the particular elements that make up your total cholesterol level. A lipid profile test may be required for a number of reasons. The four lipid classes detected in the blood are described in detail by a lipid profile test, and they are:

• Total Cholesterol: The Lipid Profile Test measures the body’s total level of cholesterol.
• High-Density Lipoprotein: This test determines how much healthy cholesterol is present in the blood, which helps to flush out dangerous cholesterol.
• Low-Density Lipoprotein: This blood test measures the level of bad cholesterol, which is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular problems.
• Triglycerides are a type of lipid that makes up the majority of the cholesterol in the body. Excessive triglyceride levels can increase the risk of cardiovascular issues as well as pancreatic inflammation.

How to prepare for a lipid profile test?

The following essential preparations must be made before getting a lipid profile:

• For the fasting lipid profile test avoid eating or drinking 12 to 14 hours before the test. All that may be consumed is water. If you take oral or injectable diabetes medications, check with your doctor to see if you can take them before the test.
• A fatty meal must not be consumed before the fasting lipid profile test.
•  No alcohol may be consumed the day before the lipid profile test.
•  High impact or strenuous exercise should not be a part of the preventive exercise.
• You must give the doctor complete information regarding your medical history, any relatives who have experienced heart disease or high blood pressure, as well as the precise medications and dietary supplements you are now taking.
• After a heart attack, surgery, accident, infection, or another traumatic event, you must wait at least 2 months before receiving a lipid profile test.

Note: for more accurate results you need to go for a fasting lipid profile check-up. You should avoid eating a very greasy or oily meal the night before the test. Several sources state that fasting is not necessary, which is only partially correct.

Understand your result

Now that the lipid profile test is done you need to analyze it and get it consulted by your doctor in case you have a high cholesterol situation.

• With the exception of HDL, a lower reading is preferable. A total cholesterol level above 240 mg/dL doubles the risk of a heart attack. Your LDL test is considered to be close to ideal if it is between 100 and 129 mg/dL. You must routinely have this test to keep your cholesterol levels within healthy ranges.
• In this situation, a higher HDL score indicates a healthier component. The elimination of LDL cholesterol from the body is aided by good cholesterol HDL. If your HDL count is lower than 40 mg/dL, you are at an increased risk of having a heart attack.
• Occasionally, the triglyceride level may exceed 500 mg/dL.
• High triglyceride levels are typically caused by poor lifestyle choices including smoking, binge drinking, etc.
• The use of some medications, such as steroids, can also cause elevated triglycerides. This implies that you will eventually need to change your way of life.

Conclusion:

The person has high total cholesterol levels, which increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other illnesses. This is shown by a high lipid profile test result. If the lipid profile test result is high, it is imperative to consult a doctor for any additional testing that may be required as well as to begin therapy.

Changing one’s lifestyle to include eating well and exercising frequently can also help one maintain a good lipid profile. Triglycerides and cholesterol play a significant role in maintaining the body’s general health.

One way to control cholesterol levels is to maintain a healthy weight, exercise frequently, abstain from alcohol and tobacco use, consume the correct kinds of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, avoid trans fats, and lead an overall healthy lifestyle. A specialist’s opinion is required to undergo a cholesterol screening and, if necessary, to begin therapy for a cholesterol issue.