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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.

Click the link in the description for more information.

 

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.

Better Health Care is Our Mission

(309) 621-9580

connectwithus@vanzantmedicalgroup.com

81A East Queenwood Rd. Morton, IL 61550