Lipid profile

Lipidogram what is it?

Lipidogram is a blood test that determines the concentration of:

• total cholesterol,
• cholesterol HDL fraction,
• serum triglycerides,
• and the LDL fraction cholesterol content is calculated.

Lipidogram who should perform?

• The test should especially be performed by people who smoke cigarettes, are overweight, have little physical activity, cases of cardiovascular disease in the family.
• Persons who have a high risk of cardiovascular disease, such as diabetics, hypertensive patients, people with chronic kidney disease, chronic inflammatory disease (such as rheumatoid arthritis).
• Burdened with a genetic tendency to elevated cholesterol.

Too-high cholesterol means an increased risk of heart attack or stroke, two of the most common causes of death among Poles.

Cholesterol what is it?

It is a fatty compound that is part of cell membranes and is needed for the production of steroid hormones, vitamin D and bile acids. Cholesterol supports brain and nerve cell function. As a component of bile, it also helps in the digestion of fats. The human body produces cholesterol on its own, but we also take it in with food. Therefore, when there is too much cholesterol, it also gets deposited in the walls of blood vessels, making it difficult to transport oxygen and nutrients to cells. Too much cholesterol can cause a complete blockage of the heart's arteries, resulting in a lack of blood supply and eventually a heart attack. If the arteries leading to the brain are closed, a stroke will occur.

Lipidogram how often to perform?

• women who are over 25 years of age should perform a lipidogram every 5 years,
• men every 2-3 years,
• all people over 50 years of age - every 2 years (unless otherwise recommended by a doctor).

It is also recommended to check lipids once in people who are 18 years of age or older.