Abnormal lipids in the blood (called dyslipidemia) are highly prevalent in the population.   It is estimated that about 40 percent of people globally have abnormal cholesterol levels in their blood.         Cholesterol levels in the blood are directly related to the risk of heart attack and brain stroke. An abnormal elevation of cholesterol in the blood leads to the early
development of heart diseases. Hence, early identification of abnormal cholesterol levels is paramount as a treatment for it decreases the future risk. Bringing cholesterol under control drastically reduces the future risk of heart attack and brain stroke.

 

 

 

ADVANTAGES OF LIPID PROFILE TEST

1.       relatively quick

2.        reliable

3.        inexpensive.

 

IDEAL TIME TO SCREEN FOR LIPIDS

    There are different opinions from various organizations regarding the ideal age at which one should be screened for blood lipids. Few experts advise doing lipid-profile in all children before puberty and after puberty. As such, It can not be generalized to all as it is not cost effective. Few experts’ opinions are to individualize the decision
depending on the risk factors of an individual.

Our recommendation is to get a lipid profile test for the first time for everyone aged more than 21 years who visit a doctor irrespective of the purpose of the visit.  This helps identification of familial hyperlipidemia at an early stage. It also provides input to assess the future risk of a heart attack.

  If the initial results are normal,  future testing should be guided by the patient’s risk of a heart attack. Higher the risk, the earlier the future testing.

 

 

The risk of a heart attack depends on

 

1.   Age (increases as patients get older)

2.   Sex ( men are at higher risk)

3.    High blood pressure

4.    Diabetes

5.   Smoking

6.   Overweight or  obesity

7.    Sedentary lifestyle

8.   Family history of a heart attack in the
young

 

For patients at high risk (high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, etc.), it is recommended to do follow-up lipid profile tests between the ages of 25 to 35. For patients at low risk, the lipid profile test can be repeated after 40 years. A lipid profile test is done earlier if the patient wishes to do it to identify his future risk.

If initial lipids are very much abnormal, the patient should be advised lifestyle modification and dietary therapy. The doctor may advise some medicines to reduce cholesterol levels. Re-testing should be done more frequently for such individuals.

The cost of the lipid profile test in Hyderabad starts at rs 150/-.