Disorders of lipids and their transporting molecule, i.e. the lipoproteins, are well known to cause cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and death. Evaluation of lipid status of an individual mainly consist of determination of Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), Low density lipoprotein­cholesterol (LDL­C) and High density lipoprotein­cholesterol (HDL­C) levels in their plasma or the serum. For over three decades lots of emphasis has been given to these molecules. Various guidelines were laid down for the evaluation of these parameters which were then modified regularly in order to improve the quality of life. The National Cholesterol Education Program– Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP­ATP) released its first guidelines in 1988. Continuous updates and modification has been done till date. Recently many new and novel analytes have shown strong correlation with CVD. Some of these analytes includes Apo A1, Apo B100, Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], Lipid Associated Phospholipase A2 (LpA2), LDL particle number, homocysteine and high sensitive C Reactive Protein (hs­CRP). This review article is written with the intention to highlight the diagnostic guidelines, grouping of individuals based on risk factors, therapeutic targets and approach towards management of dyslipidemia based on the criteria put down by NCEP­ATP III. Above mentioned novel markers are also highlighted as they hold lots of potential in improving the quality of health care provided to risk population.

Keywords: Lipid; Lipoproteins; Extended Lipid Profile; NCEP­ATP III.