As part of your annual cholesterol level testing, and your overall cholesterol management, using a lipid profile your total cholesterol level including your HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides are measured. Your doctor will recommend a lipid profile, in case you may be in a risk for coronary artery disease.

According to the National Cholesterol Education Program of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute a lipid profile test should be conducted every five years for patients above 20 who don’t belong to a risk group. To achieve maximum precision in results, one must fast for 9-12 hours prior to the test. The lipid profile test takes one minute to perform. At the time of the exam, a blood sample will be taken. Mind you that being ill prior to test can skew the results significantly.

Your physician may also request to include the LDL HDL ratio and the HDL total cholesterol ratio, as part of the lipid profile test. The LDL HDL ratio has greater value in analyzing your condition than the total blood cholesterol level. To get the exact ratio you divide your total LDL cholesterol level with the total HDL cholesterol level. An LDL HDL ratio of 4 and below is normal whereas, an LDL/HDL ratio of more than 7 indicates a risk for arthesclerosis. The test readings are aimed at telling your doctor whether or not you belong to a risk group and what measures should you be taking in case the results are above or below the recommended standard.

If your LDL cholesterol level, the bad kind, is above 100, you need to lower it and if your HDL cholesterol, the good kind, is below 40 you need to take measures to raise it. All is aimed at talking responsibility over your arteries and heart condition and preventing dangerous health conditions associated with high cholesterol levels.

If you were diagnosed with either high total cholesterol level, high LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol that is too low or LDL HDL ratio which is above 7, changing your lifestyle including dietary changes are obligatory to lower cholesterol and maintain your health.