Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and a tourniquet (an elastic band) or blood pressure cuff is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and restrict blood flow through the vein. This causes veins below the tourniquet to distend (fill with blood). A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the tourniquet is removed to restore circulation and prevent a hematoma (bruising). Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

Note that veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Infant or young child:
The area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding.

• infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
• toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
• preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
• schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)
• adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)

This test is often performed to evaluate risks for heart disease.

Cholesterol is an important normal body constituent, used in the structure of cell membranes, synthesis of bile acids, and synthesis of steroid hormones. Since cholesterol is water insoluble, most serum (the noncellular portion of blood) cholesterol is carried by lipoproteins (chylomicrons, VLDL, LDL, and HDL). The term "LDL" usually means LDL-cholesterol and "HDL" means HDL-cholesterol. The term "cholesterol" usually means total cholesterol (VLDL + LDL + HDL). However, as will be discussed shortly, total cholesterol measurements are not being used as much these days to determine risk for heart disease. Chylomicrons are lipoproteins that are present shortly after a meal but disappear within about 2 hours in "normal" individuals.

Triglycerides are another component commonly measured in a lipid or cholesterol test. Triglycerides are compounds used by the body to move fatty acids (formed when fats or oils are consumed) through the blood. These fatty acids may be used by the body for energy or stored (as fat) for later use.

Excess cholesterol in the blood has been correlated with cardiovascular disease. High triglycerides are now associated with heart disease as well. LDL is sometimes referred to as "bad" cholesterol, because elevated levels of LDL correlate most directly with coronary heart disease.

HDL is sometimes referred to as "good" cholesterol since high levels of HDL reduce risk for coronary heart disease. This is because one of the main functions of HDL is to take excess cholesterol to the liver for excretion in the bile. In fact, a high HDL (defined below) will take away one risk factor you may have for coronary disease.

Your results will contain a few different components that will be outlined here. In the past, a lipid test would initially be conducted without prior fasting and would test total cholesterol and HDL. If these were abnormal, a fasting test would be done measuring total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides. In 2001, guidelines from the National Cholesterol Education Panel recommended that all lipid tests be performed fasting and should measure all four components.

The total cholesterol measurement, as with all lipid measurements, will be listed as milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). All laboratories will list your cholesterol with these measurements. In most cases, the higher your total cholesterol, the more at risk you are for heart disease. A value of less than 200 mg/dL is a "desirable" level and places you in a group at less risk for heart disease. Levels over 240 mg/dL may put someone at almost twice the risk of heart disease as compared to someone with a level less than 200 mg/dL.

High LDL cholesterol levels may be the best predictor of risk of heart disease. If you have known heart disease, peripheral vascular disease (blockages in the blood vessels of the extremities), or diabetes, your LDL cholesterol should be below 100 mg/dL. If you have 2 or more risk factors (smoking, high blood pressure, low HDL, a family history of heart disease, are a man over 45 or woman over 55) for heart disease, your LDL should be below 130 mg/dL. Finally, if you have none or one of the 5 risk factors from the above list, your LDL cholesterol should be below 160.

HDL cholesterol levels more than or equal to 60 mg/dL will take away the increased risk from one risk factor and decrease your risk of heart disease. Levels below 40 mg/dL add a risk factor.

Triglyceride levels are also becoming an important predictor of risk for heart disease. Even if you have low LDL and high HDL cholesterol, high triglyceride levels may put you at risk. Normal triglyceride levels are less than 150 mg/dL and can be incorrectly elevated if a 9-12 hour fast was not completed.

It is important you discuss your results with your physician to determine the best therapy given your risk factors and lifestyle.

High LDL, low HDL, and or high triglyceride levels may put you at increased risk for heart disease. By depositing in blood vessels, including the coronary arteries, these components may cause blockages (atherosclerosis) leading to a myocardial infarction (heart attack) or necrosis (death of cells in) of legs or toes requiring amputation.

Elevated cholesterol levels may be caused by:

• biliary cirrhosis
• familial hyperlipidemias
• high-cholesterol diet
• hypothyroidism
• nephrotic syndrome
• uncontrolled diabetes

Low cholesterol levels may be caused by:

• hyperthyroidism
• liver disease
• malabsorption (inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract)
• malnutrition
• pernicious anemia
• sepsis

• arteriosclerosis of the extremities
• familial dysbetalipoproteinemia
• familial hypercholesterolemia
• hypothyroidism; primary
• hypothyroidism; secondary
• Type I or Type II diabetes
• primary biliary cirrhosis

• excessive bleeding
• fainting or feeling light-headed
• hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
• multiple punctures to locate veins