Overview
Reading the Lipid Profile
An abnormal lipid result is not interpreted in isolation.
An abnormal lipid result is not interpreted in isolation. The clinical question is how much atherogenic particle burden is present, how much cardiovascular risk the person already carries, and whether triglycerides create an immediate pancreatitis concern. In Canada, these decisions use mmol/L and the 2021 Canadian Cardiovascular Society approach. Most lipid samples are nonfasting. Treatment decisions combine clinical conditions, Framingham risk, and LDL-C, ApoB, or non-HDL-C rather than importing US Pooled Cohort Equations or mg/dL cutoffs. The practical sequence is to screen, identify a statin-indicated condition, assess risk and secondary causes, treat to the appropriate intensity, and verify both response and safety.