• Cholesterol is among the lipids (fats) in the bloodstream.• Source: Supplied from diet or synthesized by liver.• Importance: 1.Form cell membranes and insulates nerve fibers.2.Building block for hormones.3.It forms bile acids.

• Cholesterol is transported in blood by lipoproteins. • They include: LDL, bad cholesterol HDL, good cholesterol

• Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, which leads to heart attack.

THE LIPID PROFILE

• A group of blood tests often requested together to determine risk of coronary heart disease.• It includes:1.Total cholesterol, 2.HDL-cholesterol, 3.LDL-Cholesterol, and 4.Triglycerides.

1. Total Cholesterol:• It measures all cholesterol (good and

bad) carried by lipoproteins.

Level (mg/dL)

Interpretation

<200Desirable and reflects a low risk of heart disease

200-240

Borderline high

>240 High Risk

2. LDL-Cholesterol:• It’s called "bad" cholesterol. Lower levels

reflect a lower risk of heart disease. • Too much LDL cholesterol builds up in the

walls of the arteries forming plaque.• This condition is known as atherosclerosis.

Level (mg/dL)

Interpretation

<100Optimal LDL cholesterol, corresponding to reduced, but not zero, risk for heart disease

130 to 160

Borderline high

> 160 High Risk

3. HDL-Cholesterol:• HDL cholesterol is known as "good"

cholesterol because a high HDL level seems to protect against heart attack.

Level

(mg/dL) Interpretation

<40Low HDL cholesterol, heightened risk for heart disease, <50 is the value for women

40–60 Medium HDL level

>60High HDL level, optimal condition considered protective against heart disease

4. Triglycerides:

• The storage form for fat in adipose tissue.

• Some triglycerides circulate in the blood to provide fuel for muscles to work.

• Extra triglycerides are found in the blood after eating a meal - when fat is being sent from the gut to adipose tissue for storage.

• A normal fasting level for triglycerides is < 150 mg/dL.