Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death. Standard cholesterol tests can miss that YOU are at risk. Scientists have demonstrated that lipid panels have many limitations and only identify 40% of those at risk for coronary heart disease. People die everyday with “normal” cholesterol levels, “normal” blood pressure and “normal” EKG findings. Scientists have found much more advanced blood tests that can far more accurately assess your risk of heart disease. Poor blood sugar regulation and unhealthy triglyceride and lipoprotein levels often present long before the diagnosis of type 2 Diabetes. Our CardioMetabolic and Pre-Diabetes panels offer definitive diagnostic and clinically relevant evaluation to help define risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and progression toward type 2 diabetes These check points along with an overall pre-diabetes risk score, help patients understand that not just one factor, but rather a constellation of risk factors, that contribute to the genesis and progression toward poor blood sugar control and/or ASCVD.
Who should take the CardioMetabolic Test or Pre-Diabetes Risk Panel?
All patients, and especially those who:
- Have a family history of heart disease or diabetes
- Have been diagnosed with heart disease or diabetes
- Are already taking cholesterol-lowering medications
- Have been diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome (high blood pressure)
- Are overweight
- Have high LDL – the bad cholesterol
- Have low HDL – the good cholesterol
- Have high triglycerides
I've already had my cholesterol checked, why should I have the CardioMetabolic test done?
Standard cholesterol testing only gives you part of the picture, leaving many people with "normal" cholesterol numbers unaware that they are still at risk for a heart attack. The National Cholesterol educational program, introduced new risk factors that are responsible for many individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease. According to the NCEP guidelines, 50% of people who have a heart attack have normal cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is carried throughout the body in little balls called lipoproteins. It is the lipoproteins, not the cholesterol in them, that leads to clogging of the arteries.
Pre-Diabetes Risk
The Pre-Diabetes Biomarkers identify metabolic abnormalities that may progress into diabetes. Pre-diabetes is a condition where the body cannot efficiently metabolize foods, especially carbohydrates, resulting in impaired glycemic (blood sugar) control, which may progress to diabetes when not properly treated or addressed through lifestyle changes. Pre-Diabetes Risk Score is a way to estimate your risk of developing diabetes and associated complications such as heart disease or stroke. The following tests have the largest impact on the pre-diabetes risk score: hemoglobin A1c, fasting blood sugar and metabolic syndrome traits. Other factors that significantly affect a pre-diabetic risk but that are not included in this report include weight, blood pressure (hypertension), smoking, inflammation and family history.
Why Cardio-Metabolic Test?
Traditional LDL testing can be misleading and doesn't give you the full picture of your risk of heart disease. Unlike traditional testing of HDL and LDL this lab tests for the specific particles that are responsible for plaque formation which leads to arteriosclerosis, strokes and heart disease. This test also measures a specific C-reactive protein, along with homocystine to make this test the most comprehensive heart disease, stroke and arteriole analysis in the world. Combined with the pre-diabetes risk score, this test can literally save your life.
Specimen Type: Single whole blood collection.
NOTE:This lab is not currently available in New York. If you live in New York and want to take this lab it must be shipped to a friend, family member or a hotel you are visiting out of state. The lab must be taken and mailed back out of state as well.
NOTE: This lab is not currently available in New York or if you live outside of the United States. If you live in one of these regions, we cannot order labs. However, we can partner with you and give you physician level advice and coaching to optimize your health. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact our office by calling 586-703-0228.
