Lipids are fatty, wax-like substances found in the body. Your body needs lipids for proper body functions, growth, and energy. Two important types of lipids found in the blood are cholesterol and triglycerides. High levels of lipids in your blood may clog your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.

A lipid profile is a blood test to measure different types of lipids:

• Total cholesterol: This is the measure of all the cholesterol in your blood.
• High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL [good] cholesterol): HDL helps remove LDL from your blood.
• Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL [bad] cholesterol): LDL can build up in your blood vessels and increase your heart disease risk.
• Very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL cholesterol): VLDL moves triglycerides from your liver to other cells. VLDL can also build up in your blood vessels.
• Triglycerides: Your body makes some triglycerides. Triglycerides also come from the food you eat. Extra calories are turned into triglycerides and stored in fat cells for later use.