Lipid Profile (Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk)

A fasting cholesterol and lipid panel at MEDILA measuring the four core cardiovascular risk markers: total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol (protective), LDL-cholesterol (primary atherogenic marker), and triglycerides. This panel is the standard lipid screen used to assess cardiovascular risk in adults and to guide decisions about lifestyle changes and lipid-lowering therapy. LDL elevation is the primary target for cardiovascular risk reduction — European guidelines recommend LDL below 1.8 mmol/L for very high risk patients and below 2.6 mmol/L for high risk. HDL below 1.0 mmol/L in men and 1.2 mmol/L in women indicates reduced protective function. Triglycerides above 1.7 mmol/L signal metabolic syndrome risk. MEDILA's ISO 15189-accredited laboratories process fasting lipid panels with results returned within one week.

The lipid profile at MEDILA provides the fundamental cardiovascular risk assessment through four complementary cholesterol and triglyceride measurements — the core data set used by cardiologists, general practitioners, and preventive medicine specialists across Europe to stratify individual cardiovascular risk and guide treatment. Total cholesterol alone is an inadequate risk indicator — a person with the same total cholesterol value can have very different cardiovascular risk depending on the proportion carried in different particle types. The four-marker panel addresses this by measuring each major lipoprotein class separately: LDL-cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) is the primary atherogenic lipoprotein. LDL particles carry cholesterol from the liver to peripheral tissues; when circulating in excess, they penetrate the arterial endothelium, are oxidised, and trigger the inflammatory cascade that leads to atherosclerotic plaque formation. LDL is the primary target of cardiovascular risk reduction: statins primarily lower LDL, and the evidence base for LDL reduction preventing cardiovascular events is among the strongest in preventive medicine. ESC/EAS guidelines recommend LDL targets based on total cardiovascular risk: below 1.8 mmol/L for very high risk patients (prior cardiovascular events, diabetes with organ damage, severe CKD), below 2.6 mmol/L for high risk, and below 3.0 mmol/L for moderate risk. HDL-cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) removes cholesterol from arterial walls and returns it to the liver for excretion — the process known as reverse cholesterol transport. Low HDL is an independent cardiovascular risk factor: men below 1.0 mmol/L and women below 1.2 mmol/L are at elevated risk even if LDL is normal. HDL is raised by aerobic exercise, weight loss, and smoking cessation but is relatively resistant to pharmacological intervention. Triglycerides are the storage form of dietary fat. Elevated triglycerides (above 1.7 mmol/L) are associated with metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. Very high triglycerides (above 5.6 mmol/L) indicate severe hypertriglyceridaemia and risk of acute pancreatitis. Triglycerides are particularly sensitive to recent carbohydrate and alcohol intake, which is why fasting of 8–12 hours is required for accurate measurement. Total cholesterol/HDL ratio and non-HDL cholesterol can be calculated from these four markers and provide supplementary cardiovascular risk stratification data. Fasting of 8–12 hours is required before the draw — water is permitted. MEDILA collects blood Monday to Friday at its network of collection centres. The blood draw fee (42 Kč for adults) is charged in addition to the individual test costs. Results, including physician commentary, are returned within one week.