What does a blood lipid test include?

Blood lipid examination is an important indicator to evaluate cardiovascular health, mainly includingTotal cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)Four core indicators, some inspections will also involveApolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), apolipoprotein B (ApoB)andLipoprotein a (Lp(a))and other extension projects. Among them, LDL-C is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis, while HDL-C is known as "good cholesterol" and helps clear lipid deposits in blood vessels. Fasting is required for 8-12 hours before the examination to ensure accurate results.

Detailed explanation of core indicators: cholesterol and triglycerides

Total cholesterol (TC) is the sum of all cholesterol in the blood, and the normal value should be less than 5.2 mmol/L. If it is too high, it may indicate too much saturated fat in the diet or hereditary hypercholesterolemia. Triglyceride (TG) reflects the fat metabolism in the body. The normal value should be less than 1.7 mmol/L. An increase may be related to obesity, diabetes or excessive drinking. Abnormalities in these two indicators will increase the risk of arteriosclerosis, pancreatitis, etc.

HDL vs. LDL: The “good” and “bad” aspects of cholesterol

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) can transport excess cholesterol back to the liver for metabolism. The normal value should be higher than 1.0 mmol/L (men) or 1.3 mmol/L (women). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is "bad cholesterol" and is easily deposited on blood vessel walls. The ideal value should be less than 3.4 mmol/L, and people at high cardiovascular risk need to control it below 1.8 mmol/L. The ratio between the two (LDL/HDL) is better predictive of cardiovascular risk.

Extended projects and testing precautions

Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) and B (ApoB) reflect the number of HDL and LDL particles respectively, which are more accurate than traditional indicators. Elevated lipoprotein a (Lp(a)) is genetically related and may increase the risk of thrombosis. Before the examination, you need to avoid drinking alcohol and strenuous exercise, and inform the doctor of your recent medication use (for example, statins may affect the results). Some hospitals adoptdirect detection method, no fasting is required, but the popularity is low.

Summary and health advice

Blood lipid examination is an "early warning system" to prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Annual screening is recommended for people over 40 years old. If the results are abnormal, a combination of diet (reducing animal offal and fried foods), exercise (150 minutes of aerobics per week) and drug (such as atorvastatin, rosuvastatin) intervention is required. Manufacturers such asRoche, Abbott, Siemensetc. provide testing equipment, and common test kits include the Roche Cobas series. Regular monitoring and scientific management are the keys to controlling blood lipids.

Quote sources:1. "Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adults in China (2016 Revised Edition)" 2. American Heart Association (AHA) blood lipid management recommendations 3. Testing equipment manufacturers: Roche (Cobas c501), Abbott (Architect ci8200), Siemens (Advia 2400) 4. Commonly used drugs: Pfizer (atorvastatin), AstraZeneca (rosuvastatin)