Cholesterol test

A cholesterol test, also called a lipid panel or lipid profile, measures the fats in the blood. The results can show the risk of having a heart attack or other heart disease. The test most often measures:

• Total cholesterol. This is the amount of the blood's cholesterol content. A high level can raise the risk of heart disease.

  It's best if the total cholesterol level is lower than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L).

• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. This is sometimes called the "bad" cholesterol. Too much LDL cholesterol in the blood causes plaque to build up in the arteries. The buildup cuts blood flow and leads to heart and blood vessel conditions.

  The LDL cholesterol level should be less than 130 mg/dL (3.4 mmol/L). But the lower the better. It's best if levels are under 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L).

  This is especially true for people with diabetes or a history of heart attack, a heart stent, heart bypass surgery, or other heart or vascular condition. In people with the highest risk of heart attacks, the LDL level to aim for is below 70 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L).

• High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. This is sometimes called the "good" cholesterol because it helps carry away LDL ("bad") cholesterol from the arteries. This keeps the arteries open and blood flowing more freely.

  Men should aim for an HDL cholesterol level over 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L). Women should aim for an HDL over 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L). The higher the better.

• Triglycerides. Triglycerides are another type of fat in the blood. High levels can increase the risk of heart disease.

  The triglyceride level should be less than 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L).

• Non-HDL cholesterol. Total cholesterol minus HDL cholesterol equals non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C). Non-HDL-C is involved in plaque buildup in the arteries. Non-HDL-C fraction may be a better marker of risk than total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol.