How to interpret your test results: what blood fats reveal
Find out how to read your test results and understand what your blood fat levels say about your health.
This month we pretend to help you to make sense of your cholesterol and triglyceride test results and check if they are in a healthy range.
Managing these levels is important for maintaining heart and overall health.
We strongly advise you to always ask your doctor or another health care professional to explain what your test results mean. That way, you won’t feel confused or worried without reason.
When you get a blood test to check your fat levels, the main types of fats (also called lipids) that are analyzed are:
Total Cholesterol (TC)
• This is your overall cholesterol level and may also be called “serum cholesterol.”
• It includes both “good” and “bad” cholesterol.
LDL cholesterol
• This is a main type of “bad” cholesterol
• High levels can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
HDL Cholesterol (Good Cholesterol)
• Known as “good” Cholesterol
• Helps remove excess cholesterol from your blood, protecting your heart.
Triglycerides
• A type of fat found in your blood, that should be checked along with your cholesterol.
• Your body uses them for energy, but high levels can increase the risk of heart disease.
• They often rise due to a high-sugar diet, alcohol, or lack of exercise.
Thordis Berger
Chief Medical Officer Holmes Place
Referências bibliográficas:
• ESC/EAS Guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias. Eur Heart J. 2020; 41(1): 111-188.
• https://ds-saude.pt/dislipidemia/