LDL Test Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (LDL-C, LDL-P, LDL-B, Others), By Component (Devices, Kits and Reagents, Others), By Applications (Atherosclerosis, Obesity, Dyslipidemia, Diabetes, Angina, Stroke Carotid Artery Disease, Peripheral Arterial Disease, Others), By End-User (Hospitals, Clinics, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnological Companies, Diagnostic Centers, Others) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2025-2033

LDL Test Market Size

The global LDL test market size was valued at USD 8.76 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach from USD 9.41 billion in 2025 to USD 15.34 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 6.15% during the forecast period (2025-2033).

In recent years, there has been a growing burden of cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke owing to the adoption of sedentary and unhealthy lifestyles. The growing burden of these diseases necessitates screening tests for early diagnosis, which is anticipated to drive the global LDL test market growth. Moreover, public health campaigns, educational initiatives, and healthcare provider recommendations are creating awareness about the potential risk of higher LDL levels and initiating mass screening programs, which are expected to create opportunities for market growth.

LDL is an acronym for Low-Density Lipoprotein, commonly known as "bad" cholesterol. An LDL test quantifies the level of LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream and is frequently included in a lipid panel, along with measurements of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.

LDL cholesterol is seen as detrimental as it can induce plaque accumulation in the arteries, resulting in atherosclerosis and increasing the likelihood of heart disease and stroke. Therefore, monitoring LDL levels to evaluate cardiovascular health and determine the possibility of developing heart-related illnesses is crucial.

The LDL test is usually conducted following a 9-12 hour fasting period, presenting blood findings in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). The ideal LDL cholesterol level varies based on individual risk factors, but typically, lower levels are related to a lower risk of heart disease.

Top 4 Key Highlights

• LDL-C dominates the type segment
• Obesity dominates the application segment
• Diagnostic centers dominate the end-user segment
• Asia-Pacific is the highest shareholder in the global market

LDL Test Market Growth Factors

Increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases 

The growing incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is a major factor influencing the LDL testing market. CVD is a leading cause of death and illness worldwide, with factors including high LDL cholesterol levels playing a role in its development. In 2019, the World Health Organization reported that over 17.9 million individuals died from cardiovascular diseases, accounting for 32% of all fatalities worldwide. 85% of the deaths were attributed to heart attack and stroke.

More than 75% of cardiovascular disease (CVD) fatalities occur in low- and middle-income nations. Three-quarters of the 17 million noncommunicable disease-related premature deaths that occurred in 2019 were related to CVDs. The increasing sedentary lifestyles and consumption of processed foods high in saturated fats are contributing to the rising prevalence of cardiovascular disease. As a result, there is an increasing focus on early detection and management of CVD risk factors, such as cholesterol levels, by regular screening and testing.

Market Restraining Factors

Cost constraints

Cost restrictions significantly limit the LDL test market growth, especially in countries where healthcare expenditures hinder access to medical services. LDL testing, particularly when performed with sophisticated diagnostic methods or in specialist laboratory environments, can be rather costly.

Moreover, the costly aspect of testing can discourage people from getting screened, particularly if they need more insurance or must pay out of pocket. Healthcare practitioners and institutions may hesitate to invest in expensive LDL testing equipment or technology, especially in situations with limited resources. Cost restrictions can restrict the availability and accessibility of LDL testing services, resulting in underutilization and impeding market growth.

Key Market Opportunities:

Rising awareness

The increasing awareness of the significance of managing cholesterol is a major factor influencing the LDL testing industry. Efforts such as public health campaigns, lectures, and healthcare practitioner recommendations have increased awareness about the dangers of high LDL cholesterol levels and their effects on cardiovascular health. As people learn more about the connection between cholesterol levels and heart disease, there is an increasing focus on preventive actions such as lifestyle changes and routine testing.

• For instance, in September 2022, Benecol, the leading cholesterol-lowering product, collaborated with Heart, the UK's largest commercial radio brand, to promote nationwide testing and awareness of LDL-cholesterol levels. The project was begun on World Heart Day (29th September) and extended into October to promote awareness for National Cholesterol Month. The Benecol® website offers 5,500 free tests that were developed in partnership with Medichecks to raise awareness of this asymptomatic condition and encourage people to get tested for cholesterol. Therefore, these awareness initiatives will create opportunities for expanding the market.

Regional Insights

North America dominates the global market

North America is the most significant global LDL test market shareholder and is expected to expand during the forecast period. Given the rising obesity rate in the region, North America is anticipated to hold a sizable portion of the market. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data from 2022, at least 35% of adults in 22 US states are currently obese. In the upcoming years, rising awareness of obesity and its effects on the body is anticipated to fuel market expansion. There has also been a rise in awareness initiatives taken by several institutes and market players. For instance, in September 2023, the American College of Cardiology, in partnership with Amgen and Esperion, is initiating a quality improvement initiative called "Driving Urgency in LDL Screening" to enhance the frequency of diagnostic LDL screening in patients without a history of cardiac events and those with established cardiovascular disease. This aims to assist healthcare providers in identifying individuals who require treatment as per clinical recommendations.

Furthermore, there has been a rise in the approval of novel tests developed by the key market players. For instance, in July 2023, The FDA approved a new test by Numares Health that uses nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to detect lipoprotein levels in people at risk of cardiovascular disease. The diagnostics firm in Regensburg, Germany, has created a technological platform named AXINON, which includes algorithms in NMR spectroscopy and has been approved as part of the device. The device utilizes machine learning to detect particular metabolites important for diagnosis. Consequently, all these factors boost the regional market growth.

Asia Pacific: fastest growing region with the highest CAGR

In Asia-Pacific, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are becoming more prevalent due to urbanization, sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary habits, and an aging population. An article in the Lancet states that the burden of cardiovascular disease in India is significantly more than the global average. The age-standardized death rate for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in India was 282 deaths per 100,000, which was higher than the global average of 233 deaths per 100,000. Moreover, CVD is a major cause of death in the region, leading to an increased need for diagnostic procedures such as LDL testing to evaluate cardiovascular risk and inform treatment choices. Countries in the Asia-Pacific region are enhancing and updating their healthcare infrastructure to address the increasing need for healthcare services. This involves setting up diagnostic centers with sophisticated laboratory equipment capable of performing lipid profile tests, including LDL testing.

Type Insights

The market is divided into LDL-C, LDL-P, LDL-B, and others. The LDL-C segment is the most significant contributor to the market. The LDL-C segment is projected to dominate the market during the forecast period because of the rising prevalence of high cholesterol levels in the population. The increased awareness of the severity of LDL-C has led to the growth of this segment. In early 2023, Amgen organized the inaugural annual LDL-C Action Summit, bringing representatives from various organizations to discuss ways to enhance lipid management in high-risk patients. ESC is hosting its upcoming conference as part of its continuous endeavor to collaborate and address uncontrolled LDL cholesterol.

Components Insights

The market is bifurcated into devices, kits and reagents, and others. The kits and reagents segment owns the highest market share. LDL test kits and reagents are diagnostic tools created to measure Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in blood samples. These kits are utilized in clinical laboratories and healthcare environments to evaluate an individual's risk of cardiovascular disease by measuring the level of LDL cholesterol in their blood.

LDL test kits provide all essential components, such as reagents, calibrators, controls, and standards for testing LDL cholesterol using standardized laboratory methods. The reagents in these kits are designed to precisely react with LDL cholesterol molecules in the blood sample, generating a detectable signal. Colorimetric or enzymatic assays frequently identify this signal. The kits and reagents category has been subdivided into toxicity assays kit, blood chemistry assays kit, and cytotoxicity assays kit.

Application Insights

The market is bifurcated into atherosclerosis, obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes, angina, stroke, carotid artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, and others.  The obesity segment dominates the global market. The obesity segment is projected to dominate the market due to the increasing prevalence of obesity globally. As per WHO, over 1 billion people globally are obese, including 650 million adults, 340 million adolescents, and 39 million children. The number is continuing to rise. Moreover, WHO predicts that by 2025, almost 167 million individuals, both adults and children, will experience declining health due to being overweight or obese. Obese individuals are more likely to develop LDL, so the rising obesity rates are increasing the need for accurate testing, which is driving market expansion.

End-User Insights

The market is divided into hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies, diagnostic centers, and others. The diagnostic centers accounted for the largest market share. LDL tests are crucial for diagnosing cardiovascular risk, monitoring treatment, and providing preventative care. They help healthcare providers identify individuals with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, apply suitable interventions, and monitor the efficiency of treatment methods, thereby enhancing patient outcomes and decreasing the impact of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Recent Developments

• March 2023- A recent study at the American College of Cardiology annual Scientific Sessions suggested that evaluating Apolipoprotein B-100 (ApoB) levels may offer a more precise assessment of a patient's risk of heart disease compared to traditional tests measuring HDL and LDL cholesterol levels.
• February 2024- A recent study published in JAMA Cardiology revealed an association between the presence of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) variants and a 2-fold higher risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), even when LDL-C was only moderately elevated.