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A complete lipid profile is important in cholesterol testing

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

Cholesterol testing that reveals a patient's complete lipid profile may be more important than screening for total cholesterol levels. A new study has shown that people who have normal total cholesterol numbers may still be at risk of developing heart disease.

Investigators presented evidence at the Annual Scientific Sessions of the National Lipid Association that indicated that 52 percent of people who have normally total cholesterol have unhealthy LDL cholesterol, which is known to be one of the more harmful forms of the lipid. These individuals may face an elevated heart disease risk.

"These results provide further evidence that measuring LDL particles in clinical practice may lead to better management of cardiovascular disease by identifying those patients who may be at residual risk for cardiac events despite normal values on other lipid and lipoprotein measurements," said lead researcher Hector Malave.

The findings were based on an examination of blood samples taken from more than 3,000 participants. Results from the investigation underscore the importance of cholesterol testing that looks at a person's complete lipid profile.