Lipoprotein subfraction test can be helpful in evaluating the risks of developing Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) or peripheral vascular disease and heart disease.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and is expected to increase 25% by 2010. Approximately 130 million lipid panels are done annually in U.S., making it one of the most frequently ordered lab tests.
In clinical practice, the traditional lipid panel is well-established as a standard of care to identify patients at risk for coronary heart disease (CHD), yet one million patients die each year of cardiovascular disease. LDL-C or "bad cholesterol" is used as the surrogate measure for the LDL-related risk.
However, LDL is a particle. The higher the number of LDL particles (LDL-P), the greater the risk for CHD. After all, it is the LDL particle that interacts with the arterial wall as the beginning of the oxidation process that forms atherosclerotic plaque.
LDL is a particle and LDL particles cause atherosclerosis. The higher the number of particles (LDL-P), the greater the risk for Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). Traditionally, levels of LDL are assessed not by measuring particles directly but by measuring the amount of cholesterol the particles contain (i.e., LDL-C). Due to the variable size and cholesterol content of LDL particles, even the most accurate LDL cholesterol measurements will, for many individuals, provide an inaccurate measure of the number of circulating LDL particles and thus their complete LDL-related risk.
Several prospective epidemiologic and clinical intervention trials demonstrate a significantly stronger association of cardiovascular events with increased LDL particle number (LDL-P) versus LDL cholesterol (LDL-C). In all of these trials, CHD associations with LDL-P were independent of standard lipids. Therefore, it is advisable to minimize lipid-related CHD risk by treating both LDL particle number (LDL-P) and LDL cholesterol to goal. Only the NMR LipoProfile test provides both traditional lipid values and the number of lipoprotein particles to better identify and manage patients at lipid-related risk for Coronary Heart Disease.
However, for more thorough cariovascular testing, see the LabSafe Comprehensive Cholesterol with NMR LipoProfile test because it does more as it includes the critical homocysteine and C-Reactive Protein tests.
Call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS to speak with a Medical Counselor for further information on lipoprotein subfraction test, or simply place your order online.
