Home › Biomarkers › Remnant cholesterol
One study followed 73,513 people from Copenhagen. In that study, a higher remnant cholesterol was linked to a higher chance of a heart condition caused by too little blood flow.[1]
On this page you can read what remnant cholesterol is, what the guidelines say about a value that is too low or too high, what affects your value and which values are best to look at alongside it.
Also called: remnant cholesterol, remnant-cholesterol. At the lab: n/a.
Remnant cholesterol is the cholesterol in fat particles in your blood that carry a lot of triglycerides. It is one of the cholesterol particles that, alongside LDL cholesterol, contribute to hardening of the arteries. Together with LDL cholesterol, among others, it is part of non-HDL cholesterol.[1, 2]
A high remnant cholesterol often goes together with a lot of triglyceride-rich fat particles and a lower HDL cholesterol. A large study in Copenhagen showed that a higher remnant cholesterol is linked to a higher chance of a heart condition caused by too little blood flow, also separately from HDL cholesterol. The researchers do write that this still needs further confirmation. So a high value can point to a greater risk for your heart.[1, 2]
Non-HDL cholesterol is your total cholesterol minus your HDL cholesterol, and remnant cholesterol is part of it. In the study, remnant cholesterol was measured in blood taken when people had not fasted. Your doctor can use your non-HDL cholesterol to estimate your risk for your heart and blood vessels, together with things like your age, your blood pressure and whether you smoke.[1, 2]
LDL cholesterol is often called the bad cholesterol. LDL particles build up in the blood vessels. According to the Hartstichting, besides LDL there are other particles that contribute to hardening of the arteries, such as VLDL, IDL, remnants and Lp(a).[2]
The researchers wanted to know whether remnant cholesterol is itself a cause, and not just linked to a higher risk. To find out, they used fifteen inherited variants. These change remnant cholesterol, HDL cholesterol or LDL cholesterol.[1]
For comparison: in the same study, each 1 mmol/l (39 mg/dl) of genetically higher LDL cholesterol made the chance 1.5 times as high. For remnant cholesterol, it was 2.8 times.[1]
| Level as the source describes it | What it can point to | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 mmol/l (39 mg/dl) more non-fasting remnant cholesterol, through the genes[1] | A 2.8 times higher chance of a heart condition caused by too little blood flow | People from Copenhagen in the study |
| 1 mmol/l (39 mg/dl) more non-fasting remnant cholesterol, measured in the blood[1] | A 1.4 times higher chance of this kind of heart condition | People from Copenhagen in the study |
| Ratio of remnant cholesterol to HDL cholesterol 1 unit higher[1] | A 2.9 times higher chance through the genes, and 1.2 times when measured in the blood | People from Copenhagen in the study |
Source: Varbo et al. (2013), a study of people from Copenhagen. These are not cut-off values for your result. The researchers write that the finding still needs to be confirmed.[1]
A high remnant cholesterol can point to a higher chance of a heart condition caused by too little blood flow. It often goes together with a lot of triglyceride-rich particles. For triglycerides, the Hartstichting calls a value of 2 mmol/l or higher a sign of a higher risk for your heart and blood vessels.[1, 2]
BioProfile is working on its own zones for each value, from risk to optimal. A doctor reviews those zones before they appear in your result.
Some inherited variants change your remnant cholesterol. In the study, some of the variants changed only remnant cholesterol. Others also changed HDL cholesterol.[1]
Remnant cholesterol is found in triglyceride-rich particles. On triglycerides, the Hartstichting writes that eating healthily often already helps to lower the level.[2]
The Hartstichting writes that cholesterol often rises as you get older. In women it varies more because of hormones, for example around ovulation, during pregnancy and around the menopause. This is about cholesterol in general.[2]
Remnant cholesterol is included in BioProfile 77, 87, 121 and 150.[3]
The BioProfile editorial team wrote this page on 28 October 2026, using the sources below, which we read on 28 October 2026. Every number on this page comes from one of those sources, and the number of that source appears next to it. An expert has yet to review this page. Once that review is done, the expert's name and the date of the review will appear at the top. This page explains, it does not give a diagnosis. Discuss a value outside the normal range with your GP.
