At a glance
CDC improves the detection and diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases by ensuring laboratory measurements that test patients' blood for cholesterol levels are accurate and reliable.
Overview
Cholesterol and heart disease risk
Cardiovascular, or heart, disease is the leading killer of Americans, accounting for approximately 960,000 deaths each year. People with high cholesterol have about two times greater risk of heart disease than people with lower levels do.
CDC's Reference Laboratory and Clinical Standardization Programs work to:
- Provide reference measurements for total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, and total glycerides (TG) [CVD Reference Laboratory]
- Assess the accuracy of TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C tests used in patient care and public health (Cholesterol Reference Method Laboratory Network [Improving Performance]
- Monitor the accuracy of laboratories performing these tests over time [Monitoring Accuracy]
CVD Reference Laboratory
CDC provides reference measurements for total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, and total glycerides (TG).
Keep Reading:
CVD Reference Laboratory
Improving Performance - Cholesterol Reference Method Laboratory Network (CRMLN)
A group of specialized laboratories works directly with manufacturers and laboratories to assess the analytical accuracy and precision of TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C tests used in patient care and public health.
Keep Reading:
Improving Performance – CRMLN
Accuracy-based Monitoring Program - Lipids Standardization Program (LSP)
CDC monitors the accuracy of research and clinical laboratories performing these tests over time
Keep Reading:
Monitoring Accuracy – LSP