Of late, there has been a huge surge in deaths due to heart attacks, especially in young people across the country. While experts believe it is due to lifestyle factors like being sedentary, eating junk and processed foods, and stress, there are a few ways that can reduce the risk as well.
A US-based cardiovascular surgeon has recommended three essential lab tests to evaluate cardiovascular risk.
“Heart disease is the #1 killer worldwide, and knowing your risk profile is important,” said Dr Jeremy London.
LDL-C
According to Dr London, a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol or LDL-C is a blood test that helps measure the amount of bad cholesterol in your blood, which helps know the real risk of any kind of heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions that you are prone to.
High levels of LDL-C cause plaque buildup in arteries – thereby increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes, which can be life-threatening. If you get diagnosed with high cholesterol, the test can help you monitor the effectiveness of your treatment, such as medication or lifestyle changes, as prescribed.
Apolipoprotein B-100 test
Also known as the ApoB, this blood test tells you about your risk for heart and blood vessel disease. It measures the amount of Apo B, which carries substances in your blood that help make plaque – the waxy fat that blocks your arteries.
According to experts, apolipoprotein B takes lipids where they are going. But it only gives rides to the kind of lipids that have a bad reputation – LDL, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and many others. You will not find the good cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), hanging around with Apo B. When you see Apo B, you can be sure LDL is there, too.
Researchers say measuring Apo B predicts heart and blood vessel disease risk better than a lipid panel test. It happens because each Apo B molecule carries one of the bad lipoproteins. They can get an accurate count because of the one-to-one ratio.
You do not need to fast before Apo B testing, but avoid eating or drinking for 12 hours before it if you are getting a lipid panel test at the same time. Drink some water, as it is important to stay hydrated before your blood test, as it makes it easier for a provider to find and puncture your vein.
Lipoprotein-A test
Lipoprotein-A, or Lp-a is one kind of LDL, which can cause issues because it can make speed bumps of plaque that slow down your blood’s ability to flow through the arteries. Doctors say too many of these bumps can give you a blood-stopping blockage.
Also, to make things worse, lipoprotein (a) forms blood clots, which are harder to break down. They also cause inflammation, which makes it more likely that those speed bumps of plaque will break open, attracting more blood clots.
This test is mostly done to determine if you have a biological family history of heart disease, familial hypercholesterolemia, high LDL levels from your most recent lipid panel test, or a history of premature coronary artery disease.