What the risks are:

There is very little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

• Excessive bleeding
• Fainting or feeling light-headed
• Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

Special considerations:

Conditions under which the test may be performed:

• Acute MI
• Atheroembolic renal disease
• Familial hyperlipidemia
• Familial hypertriglyceridemia
• Familial hypercholesterolemia
• Hyperlipidemia
• Ischemic cardiomyopathy
• Stroke secondary to atherosclerosis
• Transient ischemic attack (TIA)