T H E N O U R I S H E D H E A LT H , W E A LT H & H A P P I N E S S Beyond Cholesterol: Cardiovascular Risk Lab Tests You Should Know About T he long-held belief that total cholesterol is the best measure to assess risk for adverse cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke is about as antiquated as a rotary dial phone. Even though statins are widely used to drive down cholesterol, low cholesterol is not guaranteed to prevent heart attack or stroke. Research has shown that these events occur because of inflammation in the arteries, not solely because of cholesterol build up. To obtain the most complete picture of risk, specific cardiovascular inflammation markers must be measured in conjunction with routine lipid tests. Cleveland HeartLab’s advanced cardiovascular testing has won numerous awards and is supported by over 100 peer-reviewed articles. A study published in the Journal of Medical Economics reported that Cleveland HeartLab’s inflammation testing could reduce the average heart attack and stroke rate by approximately 10%. The labs are performed by Quest and are covered by most insurance companies and Medicare. Indian River Acupuncture & Functional Medicine has partnered with Cleveland HeartLab to offer this testing. Below are some of the important cardiovascular risk tests available now. HDL Function Panel (HDLfx Test) - new test developed from clinical research led by James Januzzi, MD, a Harvard Medical School Cardiologist. The HDLfx Test measures how effectively HDL carries cholesterol to the liver for elimination. HDL is known to be cardioprotective because it has antiinflammatory and anti-clotting properties, but simply having high levels of HDL has not proven to reduce rates of cardiovascular events. Januzzi’s research demonstrated that HDL must function properly to offer a protective benefit. ApoA1- the major apolipoprotein of HDL. It promotes cholesterol efflux, the process by which cholesterol is transported from the artery wall to the liver for excretion. Oxidized LDL - measures LDL that has been damaged by oxidative stress due to poor lifestyle habits. Oxidized LDL is more likely to invade the walls of your blood vessels and increase risk of heart disease. ApoB - the primary apolipoprotein found on the surface of LDL (the carrier of “bad” cholesterol), VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein) and Lp(a) (lipoprotein (a)). ApoB specifically regulates cholesterol influx into tissues. F2- Isoprostanes - gauges the amount of oxidative stress in the body. High levels may cause blood vessels to narrow leading to higher blood pressure. F2-Isoprostanes can promote blood clotting which increases risk for heart attack or stroke. Lp-PLA2 - reflects inflammation levels in the arteries due to build-up of cholesterol. When LDL gets into the artery wall, the body tries to rid of it by making Lp-PLA2. Risk increases as Lp-PLA2 levels increase. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) - measures the body’s response to damaged lining of blood vessels that have become thinned, cracked and unstable due to cholesterol accumulation and inflammation. Risk for heart attack increases as MPO levels increase. To assess your cardiovascular risk through Cleveland HeartLab’s advanced testing, contact Indian River Acupuncture & Functional Medicine for a consultation. Consults can be done in-office or via Telehealth. Results of testing will be used to recommend diet and lifestyle modifications along with nutritional supplements to help reduce inflammation. Please call (772) 564-8383 for more information. Written by Angela King, AP, DOM, Indian River Acupuncture & Functional Medicine Photography by National Cancer Institute JOHN JOHN JOHN DALACK DALAC DALA GET GET GETHEALTHY. HEALTHY. HEALTHY. BE BE BEHAPPY. HAPPY. HAPPY.LIVE LIVE LIVEWELL. WELL. WELL.THTH TH EEEPPO POION IN ITNTT A C AUC APU CUP UNU P CN UT C NUT CRU TE R U ER C E L CI LC N ILI NC I IN CI C Whether Whether Whether you you you need need need a better a abetter better solution solution solution toto chronic tochronic chronic health health health problems, problems, problems, want want want tototo relieve relieve relieve stress stress stress oror want orwant want toto optimize tooptimize optimize aging, aging, aging, we’re we’re we’re here here here forfor your foryour your wellness. wellness. wellness. HE TTHE HE POINT POINT POINT C PA UC P NU U CP N TU C UN T RC U ET RUCERL EIC NLCII L CN I I NC I C U CU T PNUCR NTECU TR CUEL RI C N E LI CI N LIC NIC TH TH TH EEEPPO POION IN ITNTT TTHE THE HEPO POI POI INNTNTT A C AUC APU CUP UNU P CN UT C NUT CRU TE R U ER C E L CI LC N ILI NC I IN CI C A C AUCAP U CU P UNU PCN UT C NU TCR U TE R U E C R L E CI LN C IL I NCI IN CI C T H E T H ET H E 1300 1300 1300 36th 36th 36th Street, Street, Street, Suite Suite Suite H H>< H>< >< >< NEURO-EMOTIONAL >< >< Angela >< >< Chelsey >< >< Christine >< >< CBD CBD THERAPY THERAPY THERAPY THE THE THEPPOI POI OI NNTNTT 70 September-October 2020 Portfolio-VeroBeach.com