What does it mean?
LDL carries cholesterol and can contribute to deposits in artery walls. HDL helps move cholesterol back toward the liver. Triglycerides are another type of fat in the blood. A lipid panel commonly reports these along with total cholesterol. Source: American Heart Association: cholesterol and lipids (opens in a new tab).
How does it fit into the conversation?
A result is interpreted alongside the rest of your cardiovascular risk and health history. A favorable HDL number does not cancel out other risk factors. The target or reduction your clinician recommends may differ from the reference range printed by the laboratory. Source: American Heart Association: cholesterol and lipids (opens in a new tab).
What should I look for in my records?
Place the latest result beside any earlier result and the note explaining the prevention plan. Record the dates and whether a medicine was started or changed between tests. An educational review can help identify what the note explains and what remains a question.
Questions for your treating team
- Which number are we focusing on, and why?
- What goal or reduction have you recommended for me?
- How does my history affect the expected benefit of treatment?
- When should the next test be done, and who will review it?
Want help understanding your own records?
Our $350 educational review focuses on one cardiology question and up to 40 relevant pages. It includes a 30-minute conversation, a written explanation, an organized medication list, and questions for your treating team. Available to eligible adults in New York.