What does a cholesterol test measure?
Fasting blood tests can measure cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. This test, also called a lipoprotein profile or lipoprotein analysis, measures: • total cholesterol (the total amount of cholesterol in your blood); • HDL, high density lipoprotein (good cholesterol); • LDL, low density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol); and • triglycerides, another fatty substance found in the body. Blood cholesterol measurements can be used to help minimize the risk of stroke, heart attack, and peripheral artery disease. The cholesterol level is one of the many risk factors that can be controlled.
