Advanced Lipid Testing
The following tests are representative of the specialized lab testing performed through Cleveland Heart Labs in conjunction with The Healthy Heart Program.
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Inflammation panel
Lp-Pla2
Lp-Pla2 – Presence of Lp-Pla2 represents actively growing plaque in the blood vessel wall that is at risk for rupturing and developing a heart attack or stroke. It is a sign of significant inflammation surrounding plaque.
Myeloperoxidase (MPO)
Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a measurement of your body’s response to damaged artery walls that have become thin, cracked, and ultimately unstable due to cholesterol accumulation and inflammation. Presence of MPO is linked to increased risk of impending heart attack or stroke
hs-CRP
hs-CRP – Elevated levels have been linked to chronic inflammation in the blood vessel wall
Oxidized LDL (oxLDL)
Oxidized LDL (oxLDL) – Oxidized LDL is damaged LDL, and it is one of the first steps in plaque build-up
F2-isoprostane
F2-isoprostane is a ‘lifestyle marker’ that measures the amount of oxidation in your body that may damage your blood vessel (endothelial) lining
ADMA
ADMA is a marker of endothelial damage and represents loss of nitric oxide, a molecule that protects and repairs the endothelium. An elevated ADMA is also associated with risk of insulin resistance and prediabetes.
Urine Microalbumin
Urine microalbumin – Microalbumin is small amounts of protein in the urine which are associated with a 3 times increased risk of cardiovascular disease. These microscopic urinary proteins represent damage to the smallest blood vessels of the arterial system called capillaries.
Lipids
NMR Lipoprofile
NMR Lipoprofile – Versus a traditional lipid panel, the NMR lipoprofile more specifically evaluates the number of atherogenic cholesterol particles, the size of these particles and the inherent risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Apolipoprotein B
Apolipoprotein B is the primary protein found on the surface of LDL (ie the “bad” cholesterol) and Lipoprotein (a) (Lpa). The presence of ApoB on these atherogenic lipids makes it easier for them to get caught in the lining of the blood vessel and create deadly plaque. It is a more direct measurement of the total body burden of “bad” cholesterol than LDL or Lpa alone.
Sd-LDL
Sd-LDL – Small dense LDL is more easily oxidized, has a higher affinity for vessel walls, and remains in the circulation longer because it is less likely to be cleared by the liver, making it more atherogenic than larger LDL particles
Lp(a)
Lp(a) is a genetically determined cholesterol-rich LDL particle that is not affected by changes in lifestyle and can increase atherosclerotic plaquing
Other related cardiovascular testing
Insulin Resistance Panel
The CardioIQ Insulin Resistance Panel from Quest Diagnostics Lab provides a more accurate assessment of insulin resistance in patients at risk for or with prediabetes than measurement of insulin alone.
Uric Acid
Large studies have shown that elevated uric acid levels are associated with an increased incidence of heart disease and corresponding death.
NT-pro BNP
NT-pro BNP reveals early signs of excessive stretching of heart cells and is linked to the development of congestive heart failure.
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is crucial of muscle energy production, and is affected by use of statin drugs. Lack of healthy CoQ10 levels may be caused by insufficient dietary intake, impairment of CoQ10 biosynthesis, poor gastrointestinal absorption, and/or excessive utilization of CoQ10 by the body.
OmegaCheck
OmegaCheck measures the balance of omega fats in your diet and helps us guide treatment with these beneficial fats.
AspirinWorks
AspirinWorks– A urine test which allows us to monitor effectiveness of aspirin usage for cardiovascular prevention.
ApoE
ApoE is a protein that carries lipids and cholesterol in the blood back to the liver for processing. Defects in this gene prevent normal cholesterol metabolism and may lead to increased risk for cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s disease
9p21
9p21 – also known as “the heart attack gene”, 9p21 increases risk for cardiovascular disease up to two fold in those who carry it by causing instability to the blood vessel wall. Knowing your risk with the gene can help you determine how aggressive your treatment approach should be.
Adiponectin
Adiponectin – Adiponectin modulates glucose levels, insulin sensitivity, and lipid breakdown, as well as helping proper endothelial functioning and has multiple anti-inflammatory properties. Individuals with low adiponectin levels have a 3X greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome.