Three Things to Know About Your Lipid Profile: Statin Overprescribing Solution Part 2

Most people scan their cholesterol panel and zero in on the LDL. But could there be a better indicator of risk hiding in plain sight?   In this episode, Dr. Regina Druz walks through the standard lipid panel (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides) and explains why the context behind the numbers matters more than the numbers alone. She breaks down what each marker can and can’t tell you, why fasting makes a difference, and how calculated values like LDL can be misleading if the test wasn’t done correctly.   Dr. Druz also challenges the outdated idea of “good” and “bad” cholesterol and introduces a smarter way to think about risk: by focusing on the full picture, including ApoB and a simple ratio anyone can calculate with basic labs. That ratio? Triglycerides divided by HDL. It’s one of the clearest signals of insulin resistance, and one of the most overlooked.   Using a real patient example, Dr. Druz shows how to interpret results in context and why statins may not always be the answer. Could your elevated cholesterol actually be a sign of metabolic dysfunction? And if so, what would it take to reverse it?   As part two of the Statin Overprescribing Solution series, this episode offers a practical way to rethink your lipid profile, and a clear path toward better heart health!   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Understanding the Lipid Profile 04:08 Cholesterol: Good, Bad, and Ugly 09:39 Importance of Fasting for Lipid Profile 14:05 Non-HDL Cholesterol and ApoB 21:21 Risk Categories: Low, Moderate, High, Very High, Extreme 32:00 Example Patient Case Study 40:09 Triglyceride to HDL Cholesterol Ratio 43:01 Insulin Resistance Indicator 46:03 Cardiometabolic Intervention   Links ASCVD Risk Estimator: https://tools.acc.org/ascvd-risk-estimator-plus/#!/calculate/estimate/ Reynolds Risk Score: https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/3932/reynolds-risk-score-cardiovascular-risk-women   Schedule a Discovery Call: https://go.holisticheartcenters.com/apply Access Courses and Events: https://holisticheartcenters.info/hearthealth Get Heartwell Toolkits: https://shop.holisticheartcenters.com/ Schedule a Business Meeting:https://calendly.com/heartcenters  🎉 NEW! Interact with Own Your Heart Health Podcast — on NotebookLM: https://holisticheartcenters.info/notebook   Connect with Dr. Regina Druz: Website: http://holisticheartcenters.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reginadruzmd Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.reginadruz  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holisticheartcenters  Twitter: https://x.com/heartCenters TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holisticheartcenters  Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm