A coronary risk profile involves a battery of blood tests to evaluate cholesterol and triglycerides. These are indicators of risk for heart disease.

Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and an elastic band is placed around the upper arm to cause the vein to swell with blood.

A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an airtight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the band is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed and the puncture site is covered with gauze or with a bandage to stop any bleeding.

In infants or young children, the area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding.

The blood is analyzed by the laboratory to determine the levels of:

• Triglycerides
• LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol
• HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol
• Total cholesterol
• Serum VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) cholesterol

You should not eat or drink anything except water for 9-12 hours before having your blood drawn.

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.