The lipidogram is a lab test requested by the doctor to check the lipid profile of the person, i.e. the amount of LDL, HDL, VLDL, triglycerides and total cholesterol, which, when found at abnormal values, pose a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as angina, heart attack, stroke or stroke such as what.
The lipid profile is requested by the doctor to identify the risk of these diseases and help guide the ideal treatment for each person, in order to prevent health complications. To determine the lipid profile, it is necessary to take a blood sample in the laboratory, which can be done with or without fasting.The doctor should indicate the need for a 12-hour fast based on the person’s medical history.
By examining the entire lipid profile, you can observe the values of
LDL, or low-density cholesterol, is popularly known as bad cholesterol because when found in high concentrations it is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, however, LDL is critical for the proper functioning of the body, as it is involved in the formation of several hormones.
Ideally, LDL cholesterol should be less than 130 mg/dL, however, for some people, stricter controls such as less than 100, 70 or 50 mg/dL are needed, depending on conditions such as lifestyle, history of disease or the presence of other cardiovascular risk factors Get more information about LDL and what to do to control it.
HDL, or high-density cholesterol, is popularly known as good cholesterol and it is important that it increases in circulation because it represents better cardiac protection, it is recommended that its value be greater than 40 mg for men and women, as a means of preventing the risk of cardiovascular disease and, for this, it is advisable to exercise and have a diet rich in good fats and fibers , present in fish, olive oil, vegetables and seeds, for example.
VLDL is the type of cholesterol that has the function of transporting triglycerides and cholesterol to body tissues, and is part of the non-HDL cholesterol group, therefore it should be kept at low values, its values exceed 30 mg are not recommended./dL.Learn more about high VLDL cholesterol damage.
This is the sum of all types of cholesterol, with the exception of HDL and, in addition to isolated LDL cholesterol, is also considered by doctors as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and can be used for the monitoring and derivation of treatment.
Non-HDL cholesterol should be 30 mg/dL higher than what is considered ideal for LDL, so if the maximum LDL value recommended for a person is 130 mg/dL, non-HDL cholesterol is considered normal if it is up to 160 mg/dL.
This is the sum of HDL, LDL and VLDL, and it is desirable to have a value less than 190 mg/dL, because when it is high, it also increases the risk of diseases such as heart attack, stroke, angina or pancreatitis., for example, however, it should be noted that if good cholesterol (HDL) is too high, it can increase the value of total cholesterol, so it is always important to compare the values of the complete lipid profile.
Also known as triglycerides, these fat molecules are an important source of energy for the body and muscles, however, when they rise in the bloodstream, they can facilitate the accumulation of fat in blood vessels and the development of cardiovascular disease.
The desirable value of triglycerides in the lipid profile test is less than 150 mg/dL, and the higher its value, the greater the risk of complications.In addition to cardiovascular disease, too-high triglycerides can also cause pancreatitis.
Here’s what you need to do to reduce triglycerides
Lipidogram tests are usually performed in adults every 5 years, however, if there is an increased risk of heart disease or if cholesterol is modified in other tests, this interval should be shorter.
Although this test is not normally available for children and adolescents, it can be done in those who are at high risk of developing heart disease, such as those with genetic diseases such as cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity, for example.
When the lipid profile is changed, it is important to perform the treatment, which is guided by the doctor and preferably followed by a nutritionist.The main ways to manage these changes are:
In addition, to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, it is also important to control other risk factors, such as blood glucose control, blood pressure and weight loss, as all of these factors contribute to the formation of atherosclerosis in the blood vessels and the development of the disease.
Watch the video below on how to understand the test and what to do to control cholesterol: