The cardiovascular system relies on a finely tuned lipid transportation network to move cholesterol and triglycerides throughout the body. Lipoproteins like LDL, HDL, and VLDL act as transport vehicles—LDL often being the “bad actor” delivering cholesterol to vessel walls, while HDL works as the clean-up crew, returning excess cholesterol to the liver. When this balance tips, the risk of atherosclerosis, stroke, and heart disease increases significantly.
This section guides clinicians through interpreting lipid panels, identifying red flags for cardiovascular risk, and implementing interventions such as lifestyle modifications, statin therapy, and monitoring inflammatory markers like hs-CRP. For psychiatric NPs, understanding lipid metabolism is essential—especially when prescribing medications like atypical antipsychotics, which can elevate lipid levels and compound cardiovascular risk.