Cholesterol has a bad reputation, but your body actually needs it to build cells and hormones. The problem is balance. A lipid panel measures the different types of cholesterol so you and your doctor can estimate your risk of heart disease and stroke.
The Four Numbers That Matter
- LDL ("bad" cholesterol) — deposits in artery walls and drives plaque buildup. Lower is better; under 100 mg/dL is desirable, and lower still if you have other risk factors.
- HDL ("good" cholesterol) — carries cholesterol away from arteries. Here, higher is protective (ideally above 40 mg/dL in men and 50 in women).
- Triglycerides — a blood fat linked to diet, alcohol, and blood-sugar problems. Aim for under 150 mg/dL.
- Total Cholesterol — the overall figure, best interpreted alongside the breakdown above.
Beyond the Basics
Doctors increasingly look at non-HDL cholesterol and the total-to-HDL ratio for a fuller risk picture. A newer marker, Lipoprotein(a), reveals an inherited risk that standard cholesterol tests miss.
What Raises Cholesterol
Diet high in saturated and trans fats, physical inactivity, excess weight, smoking, diabetes, and genetics all play a role. South Asian populations have a notably higher risk of early heart disease, making cholesterol screening especially important.
Lowering Your Numbers
- Replace fried and processed foods with whole grains, vegetables, nuts, and oily fish.
- Move your body most days — even brisk walking raises HDL.
- Stop smoking and limit alcohol.
- Take prescribed statins or other medication if your risk is high.
When to Act
If your LDL is high, your HDL is low, or your triglycerides are markedly elevated, talk to your doctor about a personalized plan. Lipid results are best reviewed alongside blood pressure, blood sugar, and family history.
See Your Heart-Risk Markers Clearly
Upload your lipid panel to Lab Lens for an instant, plain-English breakdown of your cholesterol and cardiac risk.