Blood Test : Lipoproteins (HDL)

The lipoproteins are protein complexes which serve to transport fatty substances (cholesterol and triglycerides) through the body. Some lipoproteins are considered "good" while others are "bad." Elevations of the blood HDL, or HIGH DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN, have been correlated with a decreased risk of heart disease.

HDL tends to run higher in women than in men. For the reasons outlined above, the blood test to measure the HDL level has become quite important to many people. This test is performed (generally at the same time as cholesterol testing) on a simple venipuncture specimen.

Below is a chart that shows relative cardiac risk as it pertains to the HDL and cholesterol level. The ratio of the cholesterol to the level of the HDL (divide the total cholesterol by the total HDL) is an important indicator of cardiac risk.

CARDIAC RISK AND HDL LEVELS

Very Low Risk men 65 women 75

Low Risk men 55 women 65

Average Risk men 45 women 55

Moderate Risk men 25 women 40

High Risk men<25 women<40

THE CHOLESTEROL/HDL RATIO AND CARDIAC RISK

Very Low Risk men 3.4 women 3.3

Low Risk men 4.0 women 3.8

Average Risk men 5.0 women 4.5

Moderate Risk men 9.5 women 7.0

High Risk men >23 women >11

MEDICAL TESTS

Abdominal Ultrasound
Abdominal X-Ray
Allergy Testing
Amniocentesis
Amylase Blood Test
Angiodynography
Angiogram
Arterial Blood Gases
Arthrocentesis
Arthrogram
Barium Enema
Blood Chemistry
Blood Coagulation Test
Blood Cultures
Blood Glucose Test
Blood Test Smac 25
Bone Marrow Biopsy Aspiration
Cardiac Catheterization Angioplasty
Cardiac Enzymes
Cholesterol Blood Test
Complete Blood Count
CT Scanning Back
CT Scanning Chest Abdomen
Drug Levels
Glucose Tolerance Test
Hepatitis Blood Test
HIV Blood Test
Kidney Biopsy
Kidney Blood Test
Lipoproteins
Liver Biopsy
Liver Blood Test
Lymph Node Biopsy
Mononucleosis Test
Paracentesis
Peritoneal Lavage
Pregnancy Blood Test
Prostate Specific Antigen
Skin Biopsy
Spine X-Rays
Thyroid Biopsy
Thyroid Blood Test
Toxicology