NMR CHOLESTEROL PROFILE

$198.00

Historically, CVD risk was evaluated using family history, current lifestyle, physical exam and LDL-C levels. Since the 1960’s, we’ve understood the causal relationship of lipoproteins to heart disease, but we did not have the technology to measure themdirectly. Cholesterol levels were used as a surrogate marker. Because the amount of cholesterol within lipoprotein particles varies between patients and even within a patient, cholesterol levels may underestimate the number of lipoprotein particles in some patients.1,2 Lipoproteins, specifically low density lipoproteins, can be readily measured and the technologies to measure them have recently been recognized by the American Diabetes  asstated by the Association and the American College of Cardiologists.3

The NMR LipoProfile test utilizes Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technology to provide a direct measure of the number of low density lipoprotein particles. These particles interact with artery walls and initiate the cascade of events leading to cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis.

The NMR LipoProfile test also provides standard lipid results including LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides and total cholesterol. NMR LipoProfile test results can be used withclinical evaluation to aid in the management of lipoprotein disorders associated with cardiovascular disease.

If you know your LDL cholesterol number and HDL cholesterol number, that's good. But now there is an advanced test that, thanks to new research, is a better predictor of heart disease than cholesterol numbers alone. It's called the NMR LipoProfile® test and it can help you and your doctor get a better understanding of your true heart health.
For the past fifty years, medical science has learned a lot about the causes of heart disease. At first, doctors looked at total cholesterol numbers but then discovered that not all cholesterol was dangerous.
That's when doctors discovered the importance of identifying the different types of cholesterol - LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) and HDL (the "good" cholesterol). Generally speaking, the lower the LDL numbers and the higher the HDL numbers, the better.
While measuring cholesterol is helpful, knowing these numbers wasn't enough for all patients. Doctors are beginning to realize that determining your risk of a heart attack is not as simple as just measuring your cholesterol. A staggering fact shows this:

There are three major types of lipoprotein particles:

Today, scientists have realized that determining your risk for heart disease is not as simple as just measuring your cholesterol. No matter how much cholesterol is being carried by these lipoprotein particles, it is the number of various lipoprotein particles present that contribute to heart disease. Think of lipoproteins as cars that carry passengers along a highway, and think of the passengers as cholesterol. It's not the number of passengers that causes the traffic jam, it is the number of cars.
Lipoprotein particles have two parts

            An inner core region of cholesterol and triglyceride
                                     An outer shell
Cholesterol and triglyceride cannot move through the artery wall unless it is carried inside a lipoprotein particle. Lipoprotein particles serve as the vehicles that transport cholesterol in the blood.
As lipoprotein particles move through the blood, they can enter the wall of an artery. As the number of lipoprotein particles increases in the blood, more particles move into the walls of arteries. Once inside the artery wall, lipoprotein particles undergo changes that lead to the formation of blockages inside the artery wall. These blockages grow over time leading to increased risk of heart attack.
That is why lipoproteins are so important. It is the number of lipoprotein particles that causes heart disease.

The NMR LipoProfile test is especially important for people with certain risk factors, even if they have normal cholesterol numbers (LDL cholesterol <130 mg/dL). The NMR LipoProfile test is most important for people who:
 

This breakthrough lipoprotein test will tell you and your doctor detailed information about your heart health – information that no other test can give you.
The NMR LipoProfile test is the only test that directly measures lipoprotein particles and can give you and your doctor a clear picture of your heart health. You doctor can make treatment  decisions based on your lipoprotein particles to ward off potential heart health problems in the future.
What does the NMR LipoProfile test tell your doctor?
The NMR LipoProfile test will tell your doctor specific information about your heart health. The most important item to look at on the report is the LDL particle number. Generally, the lower the number of LDL particles, the better.

 

Risk Category	LDL Particle Number
Optimal	Under 1000*
Near of Above Optimal	1000-1299†
Borderline High	1300-1599
High	1600-2000
Very High	Over 2000

* Goal for heart disease, diabetic, or other high risk patients
†Goal for all other patients
Once you know the number of LDL particles, it is important to know their size, particularly if you have a relatively high number of these lipoprotein particles. Generally, the fewer the number of LDL particles and the larger the size of the LDL particles, the better.

Go back to Cardio-Vascular Screenings