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Lipid panel
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A lipid panel is a blood test, and it is the same thing people call a cholesterol test. It measures the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides, which are a type of fat, circulating in the blood.
It is used to find out how likely someone is to develop heart disease. In addition, high LDL cholesterol can gradually form a sticky substance in the arteries called plaque, and that buildup of plaque is what is known as atherosclerosis. Plaque is scale in a pipe: every layer lets less through.
The test does not give a single number. It measures LDL cholesterol, which is the main source of those blockages in the arteries; total cholesterol, which includes both HDL and LDL; and triglycerides.
In brief
A lipid panel, or cholesterol test, is a blood test that measures the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides, a type of fat.
It gives information about the risk of heart disease, and high LDL cholesterol can form a sticky substance in the arteries called plaque, whose buildup is atherosclerosis.
Plaque is scale in a pipe: every layer lets less through.
It measures LDL cholesterol, the main source of arterial blockages, total cholesterol, which includes both HDL and LDL, and triglycerides.
Sources (1)
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of MedicineCholesterol Levels, MedlinePlus Medical TestsPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
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