Hr. Kardan

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that is needed in the body for the production of cell membranes, hormones, and bile acids. The laboratory value measures the concentration of total cholesterol in the blood, which consists of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and other lipoproteins.

A cholesterol test is recommended for: Persons with a family history of cardiovascular diseases People with overweight, diabetes or high blood pressure Persons with unhealthy eating habits (e.g. high-fat diet) Patients with existing cardiovascular diseases for monitoring People over 40 years of age as a preventive check-up

The test serves to assess the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, heart attack or stroke. It is also used to monitor the effect of medications such as statins or changes in lifestyle.

A high cholesterol level can indicate an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Symptoms of a significantly elevated value often do not appear until late and include: Angina pectoris (chest pain) Dizziness or shortness of breath during exertion A low cholesterol level is rare and is usually caused by malnutrition or certain liver diseases.

The test should ideally be performed fasting in the morning, as food intake can temporarily affect cholesterol levels.

Total cholesterol alone is less informative than the ratio of LDL to HDL. Regular exercise and a balanced diet can positively influence cholesterol levels. If there is a suspicion of genetically determined lipid metabolism disorders, further tests such as lipoprotein A can be helpful.

HDL cholesterol is often referred to as "good cholesterol" because it transports excess cholesterol from the blood vessels to the liver, where it is broken down. The laboratory value measures the concentration of HDL in the blood.

The HDL test is recommended for: Persons with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases Patients with elevated total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol for risk assessment People with diabetes, high blood pressure or other metabolic diseases Persons who have started lifestyle changes or lipid therapy

The test helps to assess the risk of arteriosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. A high HDL value is associated with a lower risk of these diseases.

A low HDL value is a risk factor for: Arteriosclerosis Heart attack or stroke A high HDL value is usually seen as positive, but extremely high values can rarely be associated with negative health effects.

The test can be carried out at any time of the day.

The HDL value should be interpreted in relation to LDL and total cholesterol. Regular exercise and healthy fats (e.g. from fish or nuts) increase HDL cholesterol. Chronic stress and smoking can lower HDL.

LDL cholesterol, often referred to as "bad cholesterol," transports cholesterol to the cells, but can deposit in the arterial walls at high levels and thus promote atherosclerosis. The laboratory value measures the concentration of LDL in the blood.

A LDL test is recommended for: Persons with familial hypercholesterolemia (genetically caused lipid metabolism disorder) Patients with cardiovascular diseases or high risk for it People with diabetes or metabolic syndrome Monitoring of cholesterol levels during a therapy with statins

The test serves to assess the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It is the most important value for monitoring cholesterol therapy and helps in adjusting medications and lifestyle changes.

A high LDL value is an essential risk factor for: Arteriosclerosis Heart attack Stroke A low value is generally unproblematic, but is monitored in patients with greatly reduced values (e.g. through statins).

The test should be carried out in a fasting state in order to increase the informative value, as meals can temporarily influence the values.

LDL cholesterol is often the target value in the treatment of cardiovascular patients. The calculation is often made from total cholesterol, HDL and triglycerides; however, direct measurements are more accurate. Trans fats in the diet increase LDL, while unsaturated fats (e.g. from olive oil) can lower it.

Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) is a major component of the lipoprotein-rich fractions LDL, IDL, and VLDL, which transport cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. The laboratory value measures the concentration of ApoB in the blood and is a marker for the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

A ApoB test is recommended for: • Persons with an increased risk of arteriosclerosis or cardiovascular diseases • Patients with conspicuous LDL cholesterol levels • Monitoring of patients with lipid metabolism disorders or familial hypercholesterolemia • Patients with existing cardiovascular diseases for therapy monitoring

The test serves to assess the risk of cardiovascular diseases and is a more specific marker than LDL cholesterol alone to assess the risk of arteriosclerosis. It is also used to monitor the success of lipid-lowering therapies.

An elevated ApoB value indicates an increased risk for: • Arteriosclerosis • Heart attack or stroke • Metabolic syndrome A low value is generally harmless and indicates a low number of lipoprotein-rich particles. Symptoms of an elevated ApoB value often do not appear until later and can include arteriosclerosis-related complaints such as chest pain (angina pectoris).

The testing should be carried out in a fasting state in order to maximize the informative value of the value, as food intake can influence the values in the short term.

The ApoB value is often more accurate than LDL cholesterol, as it directly measures the number of atherogenic lipoprotein particles. • The ApoB/ApoA1 ratio is a strong predictor of cardiovascular risk and is often used as a supplementary measure. • Lifestyle changes such as a low-fat diet, exercise, and medication can lower ApoB values.

HbA1c is a measure of the average blood sugar level over the last two to three months. The laboratory value measures the proportion of glycated hemoglobin in the blood, which is formed when sugar binds to hemoglobin.

A HbA1c test is recommended for: Persons with suspected diabetes mellitus (e.g. symptoms such as increased thirst, frequent urination) Patients with known diabetes for therapy control People with a family risk for diabetes Overweight persons with additional risk factors such as high blood pressure or lipid metabolism disorders

The test serves the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and the monitoring of blood sugar control in patients with diabetes. It provides information on how well the blood sugar has been controlled in the last few weeks.

A high HbA1c value indicates inadequate blood sugar control and may indicate diabetes. Symptoms of persistently elevated blood sugar are: Increased thirst Frequent urination Fatigue and unintentional weight loss A low HbA1c value is usually unremarkable, but can occur with overcorrection with insulin therapy or severe underweight.

The testing can be carried out independently of the state of food intake and at any time of the day. In the case of existing diabetes, the test should be carried out every three to six months.

The test is independent of short-term blood sugar fluctuations and therefore very stable. Hemoglobin variants or certain diseases (e.g. anemia, renal insufficiency) can distort the results. The HbA1c value is not suitable for measuring acute blood sugar fluctuations; other tests such as fasting blood sugar are required for this.