Beyond "bad" cholesterol: A closer look at your blood lipids
For assessing heart disease risk, a standard cholesterol test doesn't always tell the whole story. Who should consider an additional test?A standard cholesterol test (also known as a lipid profile or
For assessing heart disease risk, a standard cholesterol test doesn't always tell the whole story. Who should consider an additional test?
A standard cholesterol test (also known as a lipid profile or lipid panel) tells you the amount of cholesterol and triglyceride carried in your blood. These lipids (fats) travel inside tiny particles called lipoproteins. Created in your intestines and liver, lipoproteins come in a range of shapes, sizes, and densities. The value of greatest concern is low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol. Too much LDL in the bloodstream helps to create the plaque that accumulates inside arteries, raising the risk of a heart attack. The higher your LDL, the higher your risk of having a heart attack.