Lipids are substances in the blood that are related to cholesterol. They are a kind of fat found in certain foods and made by the liver. Life Line Screening offers the complete lipid panel screening, which measures 3 different kinds of lipids:

• LDL cholesterol
  Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, carries about 65% of the cholesterol in blood. Known as the “bad” cholesterol, LDL can build up in the walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. Along with other substances, it can form plaque—a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries. When this happens, the condition is known as atherosclerosis.
   
• HDL cholesterol
  High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, carries about 30% of the cholesterol in blood. HDL is known as "good” cholesterol because it carries LDL away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it's passed from the body. A high HDL level helps prevent heart disease, while a low HDL level increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
   
• Triglycerides
  Triglycerides are the most common type of fat. Like cholesterol, they circulate in blood but are stored in the body for extra energy. Triglyceride levels increase significantly after eating. A high triglyceride level combined with a low HDL or high LDL can speed up the process of plaque formation in the arteries.

 Watch our video now to see how we perform the finger-stick blood screening for high cholesterol.

The complete lipid panel screening also measures total cholesterol—the combined amount of LDL, HDL, and triglycerides.

Cholesterol guidelines

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute started the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) in November 1985. The goal of the NCEP is to prevent illness and death from coronary heart disease by reducing high cholesterol.

Here are the NCEP cholesterol classifications:

LDL Cholesterol Category

< 100 mg/dL Optimal 100-129 mg/dL Near optimal/above optimal 130-159 mg/dL Borderline high 160-189 mg/dL High ≥ 190 mg/dL Very high

 

HDL Cholesterol Category

≤ 40 mg/dL Low ≥ 60 mg/dL High (desirable)

 

Triglycerides Category

< 150 mg/dL Normal 150-199 mg/dL Borderline high 200-499 mg/dL High ≥ 500 mg/dL Very High

 

Total Cholesterol Category

< 200 mg/dL Desirable 200-239 mg/dL Borderline high ≥ 240 mg/dL High

 
The NCEP recommends a complete lipid panel screening (measuring total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides):

• Every 5 years in all adults starting at age 20
• Every 1 to 2 years in patients with cardiovascular disease or abnormal cholesterol levels
• Every 6 weeks in patients on medication to lower cholesterol until lipid goals are met and every 4 to 6 months thereafter