How to Interpret the VAP Cholesterol Profile

Your cholesterol scores are a direct indication of the health of your heart. The higher the score, the more you are at risk of getting a heart disease. Unfortunately, most of us are unaware of our cholesterol levels, since high cholesterol is symptomless. The National Cholesterol Education Program advices everyone over 20 to get their cholesterol measured at least once in every five years. The lipid profile test is generally used, but now a more advanced test, known as the Vertical Auto Profile, or VAP, test is gaining currency as it records additional measurements which are better indicators of heart disease.

Things You'll Need

• Your VAP cholesterol profile

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Instructions

• 1

  Check you total LDL reading. Your LDL or low-density lipoprotein, levels are most important for determining your risk levels, as it is these lipoproteins can stick together and block the arteries. An LDL level less than 130 milligrams per deciliter of blood is considered desirable, according to Atherotech, a cardio-diagnostic company which uses the VAP technology.

• 2

  Calculate your real LDL level. The LDL levels are further divided into real LDL, intermediate-density lipoproteins, or IDL, and lipoprotein a. Of these, the IDL and Lipo a are what you inherit from your parents. Lipo a cannot be reduced by regular drugs, while IDL has been linked with diabetes. Real LDL is calculated by subtracting IDL and Lipo a from your total LDL level. According to Atherotech the desirable levels for real LDL are less than 100 mg/dL of blood, for IDL are less than 20 mg/dL and for Lipo a are less than 2 mg/dL.

• 3

  Check your HDL reading. Your high-density lipoproteins, or HDL 'good cholesterol,' levels should ideally be more than 40 mg/dL as advised by the American Heart Association. These are protective agents for the heart as they inhibit LDL from depositing on the artery walls. It is further divided into HDL2 and HDL3. HDL2, which is said to be more protective, should be less than 10 mg/dL while HDL3 which is not as protective should be less than 30 mg/dL. The IndexCopernicus Journal reports that the HDL2 to HDL3 ratio is a major determinant of heart health.

• 4

  Pay attention to your very low-density lipoprotein readings. Very low-density lipoproteins are associated with independent heart risk irrespective of other lipoprotein levels. It is further divided into VLDL1, 2 and 3. VLDL3 is the most dangerous of these and should remain less than 10 mg/dL, while VLDL combined should remain less than 20 mg/dL. Hence the total VLDL should be less than 30 mg/dL according to atherotech.com

• 5

  Assess your total cholesterol level. The total of LDL, HDL and VLDL values gives you your total cholesterol levels, and the American Heart Association recommends it should be below 200 mg/dL to indicate good health. The sum of LDL and VLDL alone is known as non HDL (desirably below 160 mg/dL), and it is considered a very good indicator of heart health.

• 6

  Check your triglyceride levels. Triglycerides are another form of fat in your blood, which you require for regular functioning. However, if its amounts increase to more than 150 mg/dL, you are at a higher risk to develop cardiovascular diseases according to the American Heart Association.

• 7

  Check other factors. The proteins which bind with fat to form lipoproteins, known as apolipoproteins can also be recorded from your VAP test. A low ratio of its two components, Apo B100 and Apo A1, indicates good heart health as would be mentioned on your Atherotech VAP profile.