What is a lipid profile? How is it interpreted?

Blood tests: What is a lipid profile?

It is a blood test, prescribed by a doctor, which aims to identify the quantity of different lipid compounds in the blood.

What does a lipid profile consist of?

• Total cholesterol is a fatty substance present in our diet but also produced by the body. It is necessary for the synthesis of steroid hormones and is an essential component of cell membranes.

• LDL cholesterol ( LDL: low-density lipoproteins ) is the type of cholesterol that makes up LDL, which transports lipids from the liver to other tissues. It is this type of cholesterol that is commonly referred to as " bad cholesterol ".

• HDL cholesterol ( HDL: high-density lipoproteins ) is a component of HDL, which allows the transport of lipids from the body to the liver. This is the " good cholesterol ".

• Triglycerides (we discuss this in the article) (based on fatty acids), these are the major representatives of the lipids we eat and that circulate in our body. They constitute an essential source of energy.

Why is a lipid profile performed?

It is a simple examination that should be performed regularly in adults.

It is used to monitor the quantity of the various constituents mentioned above.

This monitoring allows doctors to determine a patient's risk of developing atherosclerotic plaques , which can lead to cardiovascular disease. These plaques, composed of lipids and other deposits, reduce the diameter of the blood vessels in which they form. But that's not all; they can also damage the artery walls (a process called sclerosis) and even cause blood vessels to rupture.

Warning! Atherosclerotic plaques are mostly asymptomatic . It is their progressive thickening that triggers symptoms. Most often, the affected vessels are the coronary arteries surrounding the heart, the carotid arteries (in the neck), and the arteries of the lower limbs.

The manifestations and consequences are numerous:

• Pain
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Instability while walking
• Angina pectoris (the infamous angina)
• Ischemic stroke

The most serious complications linked to atherosclerosis are caused by the rupture of plaques, leading to the formation of a clot which in turn causes a total or partial blockage of blood flow, resulting in a localized interruption of blood supply ( ischemia ). If this event occurs in a coronary artery, the major risk is a myocardial infarction (heart attack ); if it occurs in a cerebral artery, it will be a stroke .

The risk of vascular disease varies between individuals and is influenced by age (increased risk with age) and heredity (family history of coronary artery disease).

How is a lipid profile performed?

This is a simple blood test , performed on an empty stomach . The examination is therefore virtually painless. The laboratory will take care of the rest, and the doctor will interpret the results afterward.

How to understand the results of a lipid profile?

The analysis report will include the various elements requested by the doctor, and more specifically the lipid profile itself.

We therefore find the blood levels of the 4 compounds mentioned at the beginning of the article:

• The total cholesterol level must be less than 2 g/l

• The LDL-cholesterol level should be less than 1.6 g/l

• The HDL cholesterol level should be above 0.4 g/l

• The triglyceride level must be less than 1.5 g/l

There may be anomalies in this assessment :

• An increase in LDL cholesterol in the blood and possibly a low level of HDL cholesterol: this is hypercholesterolemia.

• Elevated blood triglyceride levels: this is hypertriglyceridemia

• An increase in both cholesterol and triglycerides: this is mixed dyslipidemia

It is worth noting that consuming polyunsaturated fatty acids, and more specifically Omega 3, is recommended to maintain a good lipid balance and the health of your cardiovascular system.

At the house of Phytocea we have formulated OMEga+ , an exceptional food supplement , contains a complex of omega-3 fatty acids derived from wild-caught fish and is extremely rich in DHA. Perfect for cardiovascular health.

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Sources

1. INSERM - Atherosclerosis

2. Ameli

3. Vidal