Abnormal levels of certain chemicals in the blood may mean that you’re at higher risk for heart disease. Your doctor may want to test the levels of these chemicals to assess your risk and to suggest ways to reduce it.

Lipoprotein Panel
This test can help show how high your risk is for coronary heart disease. A lipoprotein panel looks at substances in your blood that carry cholesterol.
The test gives information about your:

• Total cholesterol.
• LDL ("bad") cholesterol. This is the main source of cholesterol buildup and blockages in the arteries.
• HDL ("good") cholesterol. This type of cholesterol helps decrease blockages in the arteries.
• Triglycerides. These are another form of fat in your blood.

A lipoprotein panel measures the levels of HDL and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. Abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels may be signs of increased risk for coronary heart disease. Most people will need to fast for 9 to 12 hours before a lipoprotein panel.