A lipid profile test or lipid panel is a cholesterol test that measures the amount of fat in the body. Lipids, or synonymously called fats, are a type of organic material found in our bodies that is oily and insoluble in water by nature.
The lipid profile is important for the cell, but when it is clotted or stored in the blood it is dangerous for the body’s health. Since bodily fat is a cause of most diseases, it also has a very direct connection with heart diseases. It is formed due to the presence of triglycerides, which happens due to the intake of carbohydrates.
The lipid profile is present as an energy storehouse, as well as a structural component and a messenger between cells. In this article, we will be checking out what the lipid profile test is, the reasons you should go for it, and how this test evaluates and determines the risk of heart disease.
What is a Lipid profile test?
A lipid profile test, also known as a lipid panel, is a blood test that is conducted to check the cholesterol level in the body. It is a common test that occurs and one can get it done to monitor and check one’s cholesterol or lipid profile levels in the body independently or under the guidance of a doctor or dietician.
The test is an easy procedure. It is done by inserting an injection and drawing out a sample of blood and sending it over for testing. Though no prior preparation is required, it does require a fasting lipid profile.
The fasting lipid profile is a form of fasting which lasts for around 10 to 12 hours as per the doctor’s advice and involves fasting during the given period with water being the exception. This is so that there is less variation in the test results.
For instance, if we eat a lot of carbohydrates before the test, it might lead to a higher score and would thus provide a situational result. Thus, the ideal way to measure the cholesterol level through a lipid profile test is to do a fasting lipid profile before the test so that there is consistency in the test scores.
Reasons to go for a lipid profile test
This test is not on a very serious note in itself but can help pave the way to avoid serious issues of heart disease. Here are some reasons why one should go for a lipid profile test:
- One must go for this test if they have a family history of heart disease or diabetes.
- One should also prefer going for this lipid profile test if they are involved in substance abuse or have lifestyle changes, or suffer any of the various heart disorder symptoms.
It is recommended that this test is done every 1 or 2 years between the age of 50 and 65, to help one identify just how much under the weather they are and also to seek timely treatment and identification.
How does the Lipid profile test determine risks of heart disease?
Once the results are out, it is important to analyze the result as well as consult a doctor in case of discrepancy. The results come out in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). The result of a lipid profile test should be analyzed in the following way:
- The desirable level or the normal level of cholesterol in the body is around 200mg/dL.
- LDL or low–density lipoprotein cholesterol or scientifically referred to as bad cholesterol must be around 70 mg/dL
- HDL or High-density lipoprotein cholesterol or good cholesterol must be below 40 in men and 50 in women (mg/dL).
Other than cholesterol check, the test also measures triglycerides which are similar to cholesterol and is a form of unused calorie, it helps provide stored energy to the body. The normal range of the fasting lipid profile should also be less than 150 mg/dL.
A high triglyceride result can over time lead to higher risks of heart diseases as well as inflammation of the pancreas along with other metabolic syndromes including diabetes. It is important to relieve it through exercise and working out.
Other than that, it is important to maintain a normal cholesterol level in the body. Too high HDL can reduce the pace of LDL cholesterol in the body leading to clotting, while too high LDL can lead to a higher risk of a heart attack. Thus in consultation with the doctors and fasting lipid profile test, one should monitor their food as well as incorporate regular exercise and meditation.
Conclusion
After analyzing and studying the lipid profile test or Lipid panel it tells us just how important the lipid test is to us. It helps us identify risks of heart disease as well as provides us with a range at which we can work.
Since it is done under a fasting lipid profile, it is reliable and a recondition over time would only provide a factual status of the body on which one can work and improve the risks of any heart diseases and ailments. Hopefully, this article will clear all your doubts about how a lipid profile test determines the risk of heart disease.
