Understanding Your Lipid Panel
The lipid panel measures the fats (cholesterol and triglycerides) in your blood. These values help estimate your risk of heart disease and stroke.
What a Lipid Panel Measures
Cholesterol is a waxy substance your body needs, but too much of the wrong kind can build up in your arteries. The panel breaks your cholesterol into several parts.
| Component | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Total Cholesterol | The sum of all the cholesterol in your blood. A useful overview, but the breakdown below matters more. |
| LDLLow-Density Lipoprotein | Often called the “bad” cholesterol. It can build up in artery walls, so lower is generally better. |
| HDLHigh-Density Lipoprotein | Often called the “good” cholesterol. It helps clear cholesterol from your arteries, so higher is generally better. |
| Triglycerides | A type of fat in the blood. High levels, often tied to diet, weight, and blood sugar, can add to heart risk. |
| Non-HDL Cholesterol | Total cholesterol minus HDL. It captures all the harmful particles in one number. |
What’s Most Important to Know
Your cholesterol numbers are only part of the picture. We consider them alongside your blood pressure, blood sugar, family history, smoking status, and age to estimate your overall heart risk.
Whether a given LDL is “too high” depends on your personal risk. For some people lifestyle changes are enough; for others medication is recommended. Dr. Mui will help you decide what makes sense for you. For a deeper look at cardiovascular risk, ask about the advanced tests Lp(a) and ApoB.
This page is for general education and does not replace a conversation with your doctor about your specific results. Want to review your results? Book a visit and we’ll go through them together.