Biomedical Science

What other molecules in a patient's blood are monitored along with LDL and HDL?

[erijon]

First off, no need for so many posts on the same subject, one will do. As far as cholesterol goes, here's some basics;

LDL Cholesterol
A high level of LDL cholesterol, also known as "bad" cholesterol, increases your risk of heart attacks and stroke. The American Heart Association (AHA), the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) define "very high" LDL cholesterol as above 190 mg/dL, "high" as 160 to 189 mg/dL, "borderline high" as 130 to 159 mg/dL, "above optimal" LDL cholesterol as 100 to 129 mg/dL and "optimal" as less than 100 mg/dL.

HDL Cholesterol
People with high HDL cholesterol levels, also known as "good" cholesterol, have decreased risk for heart disease and stroke. The AHA, ACC and NIH define goal HDL as equal to or greater than 60 mg/dL. If you have very high HDL levels and very low LDL levels, your health care provider will likely deem your cholesterol profile healthy even with a high total cholesterol number.


Triglycerides
Your body converts triglycerides, a type of fat found in the bloodstream, into cholesterol molecules, so high triglyceride levels increase your risk for heart disease. The AHA, ACC and NIH define the normal goal for triglyceride levels as lower than 150 mg/dL. They consider triglyceride levels 150 to 199 mg/dL "borderline high," triglyceride levels 200 to 499 mg/dL as "high" and triglyceride levels greater than 500 mg/dL as "very high."


Excess LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins) or "bad cholesterol" in your blood signifies "high" cholesterol. This is probably the most important indicator for your risk of atherosclerosis or a hardening of the arteries and heart disease. The primary goal of lipid-lowering therapy is generally to lower the levels of LDL cholesterol.

A very low level of HDL (high Density Lipoproteins)  is just as important a risk factor for developing heart disease as a high LDL value. On the other hand, a high level of HDL or "good" cholesterol can compensate for a high level of "bad" LDL cholesterol.

Elevated triglyceride or fat levels are also associated with an increased risk, especially in combination with obesity and other factors.

Lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a) is a subtype of LDL, and individuals with high levels of Lp(a) or "very bad" LDL, appear to be at higher risk for heart disease. Researchers can't seem to agree on the exact level of "high" Lp(a), but most specialists consider a value of approximately 30 mg/dL (0.8 mmol/l) to be high.

The key thing to remember is for LDL, the lower the better and HDL the higher the better as HDL binds with LDL to take it back to the liver to either be recycled or eliminated from your blood.

Hope this helps,

Jon

Is this the same "Project Lead The Way" that is used in middle and high schools to help point students into science and engineering?