Heart Disease is more than High Cholesterol
Evaluating your risk for heart disease measured by routine cholesterol testing is not enough. Fifty percent of patients who have experienced heart attacks have "normal" cholesterol levels.
At Ocean Pacific Integrative Health Center, we go beyond the routine cholesterol test to include the most comprehensive cholesterol test and markers of inflammation for a more accurate and complete assessment of your cardiovascular disease risk. The earlier identification of your risk factors will give you a better opportunity to take preventive measures toward a happier and healthy heart.
You may be at risk for heart disease if you have:
- Triglycerides greater than 150
- HDL lower than 40
- LDL greater than 130
- Total Cholesterol greater than 200
- A family history of heart disease or cardiac events
- Diabetes or family history of diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Thyroid problems
- Abdominal obesity
The routine cholesterol test only reports 4 lipid components. At Ocean Pacific Integrative Health Center, we offer the VAP® (Vertical Auto Profile) Test which more accurately measures LDL (Bad Cholesterol) and provides measurements for 15 lipid components. VAP® Tests also help identify early detection of the metabolic syndrome which leads to diabetes and heart disease.
The VAP test breaks down cholesterol beyond HDL (high-density lipoprotein, the "good" cholesterol), LDL (low-density lipoprotein, the "bad" cholesterol), and triglycerides and provides new information that can help better assess and treat your heart disease risk. Risks of both Heart Disease and Diabetes can be reduced with the right preventive treatments, which is why more accurate diagnosis is critical.
Comparison of the VAP test and Routine cholesterol test is summarized below:
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Cholesterol Measurements
|
VAP Test
|
Routine Test
|
|
LDL
|
Direct Measurement
|
Calculated
|
|
HDL
|
included
|
included
|
|
Triglycerides
|
included
|
included
|
|
Total Cholesterol
|
included
|
included
|
|
VLDL
|
included
|
|
|
Non-HDL
|
included
|
|
|
apB100
|
included
|
|
|
Lp(a)
|
included
|
|
|
IDL
|
included
|
|
|
LDL-R
|
included
|
|
|
LDL-R Subclass Pattern
|
included
|
|
|
Remnant Lipoproteins
|
included
|
|
|
Metabolic Syndrome
|
included
|
|
|
HDL2
|
included
|
|
|
HDL1
|
included
|
|
This comprehensive cholesterol test is offered at many progressive cardiology centers. Due to our continued commitment to provide our patients with "the best of conventional and evidence-based natural medicine" and our passion for preventive medicine, at Ocean Pacific Integrative Center we offer you this test at the same price as your routine cholesterol test.
In addition to The VAP® Test, we offer other diagnostic tests which aid in the early identification and treatment of heart disease.
Inflammatory Markers
hsCRP
High sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP) is a general marker of inflammation and has been recognized for its ability to predict future coronary events in apparently healthy individuals.
Homocysteine
Homocysteine is an amino acid needed for normal health. However, at high levels homocysteine is a powerful risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
If you have one or more risk factors above, please call our office at 760-944-9300 to schedule a complimentary consult to more accurately manage your risks of heart disease.
Links of Interest:
www.atherotech.com
www.thevaptest.com
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