Association of Lipid Profile Components with Total Cholesterol Levels in Heart Disease and Non-Heart Patients

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with a rapidly increasing burden in low- and middle-income countries such as Pakistan. Dyslipidemia is a major modifiable risk factor for CVD and plays a crucial role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. This study aimed to compare lipid profile parameters between heart disease patients and non-heart individuals and to identify lipid components most strongly associated with elevated total cholesterol in District Sargodha. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted using secondary data collected from public and private hospitals and diagnostic laboratories in Sargodha. A total of 180 lipid profile reports were included, comprising heart disease patients with confirmed cardiovascular conditions and non-heart individuals with no documented history of CVD. Data on total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and VLDL were analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression analyses were applied to assess associations and predictors. The regression model for heart disease patients was highly significant and explained 99.7% of the variance in total cholesterol levels. LDL cholesterol emerged as the strongest predictor, followed by triglycerides, HDL, and VLDL. In non-heart patients, the model explained 90.3% of cholesterol variability, with LDL, HDL, and triglycerides as significant predictors, while VLDL showed no significant association. In conclusion, lipid abnormalities—particularly elevated LDL cholesterol—are strongly associated with total cholesterol levels, with a more pronounced effect among heart disease patients. These findings emphasize the importance of early lipid screening and targeted cholesterol management to reduce cardiovascular risk in the population.