Cardiometabolic Testing for Heart Health
According to National Cholesterol Educational Panel (NCEP) guidelines, 50 percent of people with “normal” cholesterol levels still have heart attacks. That means even if you’re diligent with your annual preventative health screenings and regularly get positive results from blood work, you could still be at risk for cardiovascular disease.
That’s because traditional cholesterol screening typically used to evaluate heart health is not as comprehensive as it might be, and often gives you and your doctor an incomplete picture of your risk factors. Since heart disease is one of the leading causes of death for both men and women, it can be dangerous to have a false sense of security about the state of your heart health.
Cardiometabolic testing, on the other hand, assesses the big picture. By evaluating a number of components not generally looked at in conventional screenings, this highly advanced testing procedure can provide valuable information that just might save your life.
Going well beyond the measurement of HDL, LDL and triglyceride levels, cardiometabolic testing also evaluates the size and oxidation of the cholesterol, as well as measures specific particles responsible for plaque formation. As you may know, the formation of arterial plaque ultimately leads to arteriosclerosis, strokes and heart disease, so having this added information, especially when combined with a pre-diabetes risk score, can be extremely helpful in assessing all of the risk factors and indicators that a person may develop cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
The results provided prove even more valuable when you realize that many of the conditions testing might reveal can be slowed or reversed once identified.
While all people can benefit from advanced testing, it can be a particularly useful tool for those with a personal or family history of heart disease or diabetes. Those that struggle with poor blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride numbers, or those that routinely take medications to control them are also excellent candidates for the test.
February, national heart month, is an excellent time to evaluate all you’re doing (or not doing) to avoid cardiovascular disease. Along with consuming a heart-healthy diet full of nutrient-dense fruits, vegetables, and lean protein, as well as getting adequate amounts of exercise, talk to us about cardiometabolic testing. It’s the most comprehensive way to get a glimpse into the true state of your heart health.
