Lipid Profile - Maxi Test

Lipid profile is basically done to assess the status of the blood vessels of the heart and the risk of cardiac diseases. Test measures lipid in the blood to assess patients risk to an cardiovascular event. Apolipoproteins B/A is a test that can help predict cardiovascular risk in patients. It gives a more detailed idea of the risk of heart diseases than the routine cholesterol screening. Lp (a) serum test is prescribed to understand how well the cholesterol is transported in the body. This gives a more detailed idea of the risk of heart diseases than the routine cholesterol screening and may help in early detection of potential cardiovascular problem

Through a lipid profile, healthcare providers can measure various lipids in the blood. It includes: 

• Total cholesterol: This determines the body's overall cholesterol, which is the combination of LDL-C, HDL-C, and VLDL-C.
• LDL cholesterol: This type of cholesterol is bad. It can accumulate in the blood vessels and enhance the risk of heart problems
• VLDL cholesterol: This type of cholesterol is low in amount when a fasting sample is taken from the blood sample. It usually comes from the food we have recently eaten. But increased cholesterol in the fasting sample is a sign of abnormal lipid metabolism.
• HDL cholesterol: This cholesterol is good as it helps reduce LDL buildup in blood vessels.
• Triglycerides: This is the fat which we get from our food. An increase in triglycerides in our bodies can lead to cardiovascular problems.

This test is usually carried out in diabetic and prediabetic individuals with high blood sugar levels or in individuals who are at risk of cardiovascular diseases. The test evaluates your risk of a heart attack, heart disease, or disease of the blood vessels. 

The test measures the Cholesterol-Total, HDL, Non HDL, LDL, VLDL and Triglycerides, Lp(a), Apolipoproteins B/A levels in the blood.

This test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.

A professional called a phlebotomist usually draws blood for the lipid panel. However, any healthcare specialist who knows how to draw blood can do a lipid test. Blood is drawn from the vein of your arm after cleaning the site of insertion. A band is wrapped around the upper arm to fill the blood into your veins. After inserting a needle, which may feel like a prick, the desired amount of blood will be collected in the syringe. You may experience slight tenderness at the point from where the blood has been taken. But it will usually resolve quickly.

"Maintaining lipid levels within the desirable ranges helps lower risk of heart attacks and stoke. Low HDL levels (below acceptable levels) are associated with increased risk for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) . High levels of Non HDL Cholesterol (above acceptable levels) are associated with increased risk for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). High lipoprotein (a) levels lead to cholesterol being deposited in the arterial walls which causes thickening or clogging of the arterial walls also known as ""atherosclerosis"". This disrupts the flow of blood to the heart and other vital organs. This increases the risk of heart diseases, strokes, and other peripheral arterial diseases. High B/A1 ratio increases the risk of heart diseases. Low ratio may reduce the risk of cardiac diseases and stroke. Apo-B/A1 ratio is a more specific test that gives a clearer picture of the risk of heart diseases as compared to routine cholesterol tests.

You need to fast for 10-12 hours in a lipid test. Fasting involves not eating or drinking anything except water. In some conditions, you can have a lipid test without fasting. Your healthcare will let you know whether you need fasting for the test.

5.      What are the normal levels?

Given below are the optimal levels of all four lipids covered in the lipid profile:

Total cholesterol: Below 200 mg/dL,

HDL cholesterol: Above 60mg/dL,

LDL cholesterol: Below 100mg/dL,

Triglycerides: Below 150mg/dL.

Based on your test result, your case can be considered borderline, intermediate, or high risk.

Some diseases like diabetes, kidney problems, hypothyroidism, and liver problems can increase your cholesterol levels.

You must follow good eating habits like consuming less saturated and trans fat. Eat fibres regularly, decrease the amount of concentrated sugar, reduce alcohol consumption, quit smoking, reduce weight, and increase physical activity.

People at high risk of having high cholesterol levels should go for this test. High-risk factors include high blood pressure, smoking, a history of heart attack, a sedentary lifestyle, diabetes etc. Men, 45 years of age or women between 50-55 years of age are also advised to take this test.

• Lipid panel
• Lipid test
• Coronary risk panel
• Cholesterol panel