Lipoprotein Testing

Are you at risk of contracting coronary heart disease?

One of the most important factors in the onset of coronary heart disease is your diet. If your daily food intake is high in cholesterol, this may contribute to the buildup of arterial plaque in your blood vessels, which can narrow and harden your arteries. This can potentially give rise to blockages that can cause a stroke or heart attack.

Not all cholesterol is bad for you—in fact, your body needs a certain level of cholesterol to stay healthy. Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance that’s transported around your body by two kinds of lipoproteins, one of which is called low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and the other high-density lipoprotein (HDL). It’s the LDL cholesterol that contributes to heart disease, while the HDL cholesterol can actually help in cleansing your blood stream.

Lipoprotein testing for LDL levels is one of the best ways to evaluate your risk of developing heart disease. Testing is recommended if there is a history of heart disease in your family or if you suffer from certain conditions that can elevate the level of LDL in your blood.