Lipid Profile Test overview

#shorts #lipidprofile #test #overview Cholesterol is a form of fat we need. It helps make the outer membranes of our bodies' cells stable. But for decades, doctors have known that people with high total cholesterol levels are more likely to get heart disease. They’ve also found that the different forms of cholesterol ("good" and "bad") play a role. High total cholesterol, high bad cholesterol, or low good cholesterol could raise your chances. For example, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol, can stick to blood vessel walls. Over time, it can play a role in clogging arteries in a process called atherosclerosis. Narrowed arteries in your heart can then develop sudden blood clots, causing heart attacks. Triglycerides are another fat that doctors measure with cholesterol testing. High levels can raise your chances of having a heart attack or stroke. This is especially true when you have low levels of “good” cholesterol, called high-density lipoprotein (HDL). High triglyceride levels also make you more likely to develop diabetes. The American Heart Association recommends that everyone over age 20 get a cholesterol test so you know what your levels are and can do something about them if you need to.