Understanding Your Lipid Profile: What Every Indian Should Know About Cholesterol

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in India, and high cholesterol is one of its biggest drivers. The frightening part? High cholesterol has no symptoms. You don't feel it, you don't see it, and by the time it causes a heart attack or stroke, the damage is already done.

The good news is that a simple Lipid Profile test can reveal your risk decades before anything goes wrong. At Aarvak Diagnostics, we believe understanding your numbers is the first step to protecting your heart.

What Is a Lipid Profile?

A lipid profile is a blood test that measures different types of fats (lipids) in your blood. It typically includes:

• Total Cholesterol — the overall amount
• LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) — the "bad" cholesterol that clogs arteries
• HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) — the "good" cholesterol that protects your heart
• Triglycerides — fat in your blood linked to diet and lifestyle
• VLDL (Very Low-Density Lipoprotein) — another form of bad cholesterol

Reading Your Numbers: What's Normal?

| Parameter | Desirable | Borderline | High Risk |

|-----------|-----------|------------|-----------|

| Total Cholesterol | < 200 mg/dL | 200–239 | ≥ 240 |

| LDL Cholesterol | < 100 mg/dL | 130–159 | ≥ 160 |

| HDL Cholesterol | > 60 mg/dL | 40–59 | < 40 |

| Triglycerides | < 150 mg/dL | 150–199 | ≥ 200 |

Why Indians Are at Higher Risk

• Genetic tendency toward higher triglycerides and lower HDL
• Diet rich in refined carbs — white rice, bread, sweets
• Sedentary urban lifestyles
• Earlier onset — Indians develop heart disease 10 years earlier than Western populations

Simple Steps to Improve Your Lipid Profile

• Replace refined carbs with whole grains and fibre
• Add nuts, seeds, and fatty fish for healthy fats
• Walk 30 minutes daily
• Limit fried and processed foods
• Quit smoking and reduce alcohol
• Test annually after age 25

Book your lipid profile at Aarvak Diagnostics and take control of your heart health today.