Cholesterol builds up silently in the walls of your arteries, and Indians tend to develop heart disease earlier than people in many other countries. A lipid profile measures the fats in your blood, so a problem can be caught long before it causes one.
Preparing for the test
Go without food for 10 to 12 hours before the sample is taken; plain water is fine. An early-morning appointment makes this easy. Avoid alcohol the day before.
What each number means
- LDL cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol, is the one that builds up in arteries. Below 100 mg/dL is optimal for most people, 130 to 159 is borderline high, and 160 or above is high.
- HDL cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol, carries cholesterol away. Higher is better: below 40 mg/dL for men or 50 for women is low, and 60 or above is protective.
- Triglycerides rise with sugar, refined flour and alcohol. Below 150 mg/dL is normal, 150 to 199 is borderline, and 200 or above is high.
- Total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL is desirable, but the LDL and HDL figures matter more than the total.
These are general targets. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, your doctor will set lower ones for you.
What helps
- Brisk walking or other activity for at least 30 minutes on most days
- Fewer fried foods and sweets, and less refined flour, ghee and vanaspati
- More vegetables, fruit, whole grains, dals and nuts
- Stopping smoking, and keeping alcohol low
Some people need medicine as well, especially with a family history of early heart disease. Your doctor will decide from your full results and risk.
How often
Every four to five years from your twenties if your results are normal, and every year if they are high, if you are on treatment, or if heart disease runs in your family.
