Coronary heart disease is a condition where plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, restricting blood flow to the heart muscle. It is caused by atherosclerosis, where cholesterol deposits, inflammatory cells, and calcium accumulate in arterial walls. The Cardio IQ Advanced Lipid Panel is the most important test for assessing coronary heart disease risk because it identifies dangerous small, dense LDL particles that promote plaque formation.
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Coronary heart disease is caused by atherosclerosis, a process where cholesterol, inflammatory cells, calcium, and other substances build up in the walls of the coronary arteries. This buildup forms plaques that narrow and harden the arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle. Key contributors include high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, especially small dense LDL particles, oxidized LDL cholesterol, chronic inflammation marked by elevated C-reactive protein and Lp-PLA2 enzymes, and increased clotting factors like fibrinogen. Over time, these plaques can rupture, triggering blood clots that completely block arteries and cause heart attacks.
The Cardio IQ Advanced Lipid Panel is the most important test for assessing coronary heart disease risk because it goes beyond basic cholesterol numbers to analyze LDL particle size and density. This test identifies LDL pattern B, which consists of small, dense LDL particles that are significantly more dangerous than larger particles because they easily penetrate arterial walls and promote plaque formation. Additional essential tests include the Heart Attack Risk Assessment measuring apolipoprotein A1 and B levels, the OxLDL test detecting oxidized cholesterol that directly damages arteries, and the Lp-PLA2 Activity test measuring inflammatory enzyme activity within existing plaques. Together, these tests provide a comprehensive cardiovascular risk profile that standard cholesterol panels miss.
You should get tested if you have a family history of heart disease or heart attacks before age 55 in men or 65 in women, have high blood pressure or diabetes, are a smoker or former smoker, are overweight or physically inactive, or experience symptoms like chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue. Even if you feel healthy, testing is recommended for men over 35 and women over 45 to establish a baseline risk profile. Early detection of risk factors allows you to make lifestyle changes and start preventive treatments before heart damage occurs, significantly reducing your chances of heart attack or stroke.
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What this means
Your LDL particle number is elevated, which means you have more cholesterol-carrying particles in your bloodstream than ideal. This increases your risk of heart disease because more particles mean a greater chance of cholesterol building up in your artery walls, even if your standard LDL cholesterol looks acceptable.
Recommended actions
Reduce refined carbohydrates and sugar to lower small LDL particles
Increase omega-3 intake through fatty fish like salmon or quality fish oil supplements
Add regular aerobic exercise like brisk walking or cycling for 30+ minutes daily
Retest in 3-6 months after implementing lifestyle changes
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