Three Blood Test that can Warn Women of Risk 30 Years Before Heart Attack and Stoke

May 28

Written By Whole Health Functional Medicine .

New paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that three important cardiovascular lab tests have the potential to warn women of potential future heart attacks and strokes 30 years early.

Unfortunately the standard of medical care almost always includes checking total cholesterol and LDL but does not commonly include two additional critical cardiovascular lab tests.

These two additional labs are high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Lipoprotein (a) -Lp(a)

C-reactive protein (CRP)

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance found in the blood that increases when there is inflammation within your body. The high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) test is more sensitive than the standard CRP test measuring slight increases in CRP levels even when within the normal range. Because of this greater sensitivity, the hs-CRP test can help determine your risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Lipoprotein (a)

Lp(a) is a large lipoprotein made by the liver. Lipoproteins are parcels made of fat and protein. Their job is to carry fats (also called lipids) around the body in the blood. LDL cholesterol (or ‘bad cholesterol') is also a lipoprotein.

Lp(a) is made of:

a lipoprotein similar to LDL (low density lipoprotein or "bad" cholesterol)
plus two proteins known as ApoB and Apo(a).

A high level of Lp(a) in the blood has now been identified as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease or CVD. It can cause atherosclerosis (furring up of arteries), heart attacks, strokes, peripheral arterial disease, aortic valve disease and heart failure.

Genetic factors play a major role in Lp(a) concentrations. In fact, Lp(a) levels are 70% to 90% genetically determined.

There are also ‘secondary causes' that can affect your Lp(a) levels. These include conditions such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), nephrotic kidney disease and hypothyroidism.

https://www.functionalmedicineuniversity.com/public/2053.cfm

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