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 are charts that show
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: (HDL
levels)
|
Relative Risk |
|
HDL
(Men) |
|
HDL
(Women) |
|
Very Low |
|
65 |
|
75 |
|
Low |
|
55 |
|
65 |
|
Average |
|
45 |
|
55 |
|
Moderate |
|
25 |
|
40 |
|
High |
|
< 25 |
|
< 40 |
Cardiac Risk: (Cholesterol/HDL
Ratio)
|
Relative Risk |
|
Ratio
(Men) |
|
Ratio
(Women) |
|
Very Low |
|
3.4 |
|
3.3 |
|
Low |
|
4.0 |
|
3.8 |
|
Average |
|
5.0 |
|
4.5 |
|
Moderate |
|
9.5 |
|
7.0 |
|
High |
|
> 23 |
|
> 11 |
