<sup></sup>What a ‘good’ cholesterol test can still miss about your health: Doctor explains
Times of India
by AADYA JHAFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A 'normal' cholesterol test may provide a sense of reassurance, but it doesn’t tell the full story about heart health. While standard tests measure total cholesterol, HDL ('good'), LDL ('bad'), and triglycerides within specific ranges, they fail to capture critical factors that influence cardiovascular risk. Experts emphasize that inflammation, LDL particle size, triglyceride levels, genetics, and lifestyle choices often play significant roles in heart disease that aren’t reflected in routine numbers.
Dr Vivek Kumar highlights that LDL quality matters more than quantity. Small, dense LDL particles can slip into artery walls and form plaque faster, even when total LDL levels appear normal. Similarly, HDL’s protective function can falter due to factors like smoking or chronic stress, leaving the heart vulnerable despite normal HDL counts. Inflammation, another silent culprit, often stems from lifestyle factors such as poor diet or lack of exercise and contributes to artery damage without affecting cholesterol numbers.
Triglycerides, another overlooked factor, signal metabolic issues like
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/20/2026