DirectLDL testing: more important…

The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) identifies elevated LDL cholesterol as the primary target of cholesterol-lowering therapy.

LDL, or low density lipoprotein, is one component of your blood cholesterol.

LDL carries cholesterol through your bloodstream to help your body build cell walls and produce important hormones. But when there is too much LDL, it sticks to blood vessel walls and blocks the flow of blood. This can lead to heart attacks and strokes, which is why LDL cholesterol is called the "bad" cholesterol.

Your LDL value will help your doctor determine if you are at risk of developing coronary heart disease. Your doctor will also look at your total cholesterol value, other lipoprotein values, and heart disease "risk factors."

A high LDL value means there is a greater chance that you will develop heart disease, the single largest cause of death in the U.S.

If your LDL is too high, your doctor will recommend lowering it through a combination of diet, exercise, and possibly medication.

Your doctor can request a simple laboratory test (Direct LDL) to be performed on your blood sample. The test tells your doctor how much "bad"cholesterol is in your blood.