LDL is the “bad” cholesterol because a high LDL level leads to a buildup of cholesterol in your arteries. Arteries constrict, blood begins to clot. Over time, blood thickening and artery constriction combine to make a heart attack or high blood pressure more likely.

HDL is called the "good" cholesterol because it carries LDL cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver. Your liver then removes the LDL cholesterol from your body. This helps to keep the blood vessels clean. High HDL levels reduce the risk for heart disease—but low levels increase the risk.

Like cholesterol, triglycerides are a type of fat, or lipid, in your blood. Elevated triglyceride levels can raise your chance of vessel constriction and heart disease.

The cerascreen® Cholesterol Test is a send-in sampling kit to measure the relevant blood fat values if an increased risk for arteriosclerosis is suspected. The test determines the total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides levels as well as the total cholesterol/HDL ratio. The process is pain-free and can be done easily from home. The sample of human capillary blood is analysed in vitro in the specialised cerascreen® partner diagnostic laboratory.