Private MD News

Experts recommend more cholesterol testing

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America, but it is also one of the most preventable. Many health experts say that simple cholesterol testing can determine whether or not an individual has a heart problem and enable them to make lifestyle changes if a problem is discovered.

Cardiovascular diseases are most commonly thought of as affecting more men than women. However, recent studies have shown that it is a problem that everyone should be concerned with, regardless of their gender.

Michael Cobble, the chief medical officer of Atherotech, a medical supply company, said that this underscores the importance of personalized cholesterol testing, which can take into consideration a range of other factors that may contribute to high cholesterol.

"Women are an under-diagnosed population at risk of heart disease," he said. "OBGYNs are recognizing this and implementing comprehensive lipoprotein testing into their practices. [Cholesterol testing] shows the pathophysiology of lipids, so a practitioner can make educated and guided lipid management choices."

Nearly 1 million individuals die from cardiovascular disease each year, according to the American Heart Association.