What's this test for?

This test is ideal if you're concerned about your risk for heart disease, especially if you have a family history of early heart attacks or stroke. It's also useful if you've had high cholesterol that doesn't respond well to diet or lifestyle changes. Since Lp(a) levels are mostly determined by genetics, this test can reveal a hidden risk factor that standard cholesterol tests miss.

What happens after I get my results?

Your results will show up in your account with your Lp(a) level and an explanation of what the normal range means. If your level is elevated, next steps usually include focusing on other heart-healthy habits like diet, exercise, and managing blood pressure since Lp(a) itself is hard to change with lifestyle alone; if your number is very high, seeking medical care to discuss additional screening is a good idea. You can download the full lab report from your account at any time, and since Lp(a) doesn't change much over your lifetime, you likely won't need frequent retesting, though the trends feature lets you track it alongside other markers over time.

Who should consider this test?

This test makes sense for anyone with a family history of early heart disease, stroke, or high Lp(a), even if their regular cholesterol numbers look fine. It's also worth considering if you've had a heart attack or stroke at a young age without other obvious risk factors. People with high cholesterol that runs in the family should consider checking this too.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

Lp(a) itself doesn't cause symptoms, so most people find out they have high levels only through testing or after a cardiac event. Warning signs to watch for include a family history of heart attacks or strokes at a young age, or being told you have high cholesterol despite eating well and exercising. If heart disease runs in your family, that's often the biggest clue worth checking with this test.

How can I naturally support healthy heart risk factors?

While Lp(a) levels are largely set by your genes and don't respond much to diet, you can still lower your overall heart disease risk through other habits. Eating more fiber, fish, and plant-based fats while cutting back on processed foods helps manage other risk factors like LDL cholesterol. Regular exercise, not smoking, and keeping blood pressure in check all add up to meaningfully lower your overall risk even if Lp(a) stays the same.

When will I get my results?

Results are typically ready within about 7 days of your blood draw. Once processed, they'll be uploaded directly to your secure online account, and you'll get a notification when they're ready to view.

What is Lipoprotein(a) and why does it matter?

Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a type of fat-carrying particle in your blood similar to LDL cholesterol, but it also carries an extra protein that can make blood clot more easily and speed up plaque buildup in arteries. Unlike regular cholesterol, your Lp(a) level is mostly inherited and doesn't change much based on diet or exercise. Knowing your level matters because high Lp(a) is an independent risk factor for heart disease that a standard cholesterol panel won't catch.

What does high Lp(a) mean?

A high Lp(a) result means you may have a higher genetic risk for developing heart disease or having a stroke, even if your other cholesterol numbers look normal. It doesn't mean something is wrong right now, but it's useful information for making stronger lifestyle choices around diet, exercise, and other controllable risk factors. Because it's mostly inherited, family members may want to get tested too.

What causes high Lp(a)?

High Lp(a) is almost always caused by genetics passed down from your parents, rather than by diet, weight, or lifestyle habits. This means you can inherit high Lp(a) even if you eat well and exercise regularly. Certain health conditions like kidney disease can sometimes raise Lp(a) further, but genetics is by far the biggest factor.

What should I do if my results are abnormal?

If your Lp(a) comes back high, focus on the heart-health factors you can control, like eating a balanced diet, staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking. Since Lp(a) tends to run in families, it may be worth letting close relatives know so they can consider testing too. If your level is very high, seeking medical care for a broader heart health evaluation is a reasonable next step.

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short: In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy! If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

How do I know which test to get?

In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option. Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

When will my lab results be available?

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know. After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop! If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you. Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you. There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out. Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Do you accept health insurance?

Only HSA & FSA is accepted. Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts. This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes. We get it – sometimes your needs change. As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order. If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com. You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

How can I find a lab location near me?

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp). Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Cardio IQ Lipoprotein Heart Disease Risk Test | Private MD Labs

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:

In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!

754-799-7833

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