The optimal level (measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood — mg/dL) for each of the four standard tests in a lipid panel are as follows:

‍Total cholesterol: Below 200 mg/dL.

‍High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol: Above 60 mg/dL.

‍Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: Below 100 mg/dL (For people who have diabetes: Below 70 mg/dL).

‍Triglycerides: Below 150 mg/dL.

Total cholesterol: This is your overall cholesterol level — the combination of LDL-C, VLDL-C and HDL-C.

‍Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: This is the type of cholesterol that’s known as “bad cholesterol.” It can collect in your blood vessels and increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.

‍Very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol: This is a type of cholesterol that’s usually present in very low amounts when the blood sample is a fasting samples since it’s mostly comes from food you’ve recently eaten. An increase in this type of cholesterol in a fasting sample may be a sign of abnormal lipid metabolism.

‍High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol: This is the type of cholesterol that’s known as “good cholesterol.” It helps decrease the buildup of LDL in your blood vessels.

‍Triglycerides: This is a type of fat from the food we eat. Excess amounts of triglycerides in your blood are associated with cardiovascular disease and pancreatic inflammation.

It is important to control risk factors for cardiovascular disease that are typically measured by lipid tests.  Risk factors for cardiovascular disease include:

1. Obesity or low physical activity
2. High blood pressure (hypertension)
3. Diabetes or prediabetes.
4. Family history - a first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling, who developed heart disease at an early age.

Spark Lipid tests have verified clinical accuracy data with its reader compared to the leading laboratory tests. Contact us for more accurate details.