Health
Discover the 3 Essential Blood Tests Your Cardiologist Recommends for Heart Health
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, currently impacting nearly half of the population. Projections indicate that by 2050, 61% of Americans could be living with cardiovascular disease, which encompasses heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, arrhythmias, and congenital heart disease.
This growing prevalence is partly attributed to increasing rates of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and sedentary lifestyles, all of which are significant risk factors for heart disease.
Dr. Jeremy London, a cardiothoracic surgeon based in Savannah, Georgia, emphasizes the importance of three particular blood tests that can help evaluate and mitigate the risk of heart disease. These tests offer crucial insights into cardiovascular health, potentially averting severe outcomes.
One of the essential tests is for LDL cholesterol, often referred to as “bad” cholesterol. High levels of LDL can lead to plaque accumulation in the arteries, resulting in coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease, and aortic aneurysm.
As Dr. London mentions, “standard bloodwork panels check your LDL cholesterol,” underscoring the importance of not skipping annual exams.
In addition to LDL, it’s vital to monitor HDL levels. The Cleveland Clinic notes, “HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is the ‘good cholesterol’ that helps remove extra LDL cholesterol from your blood.” Addressing high LDL levels with your healthcare provider is crucial, especially since many patients eligible for cholesterol-lowering medications do not take them. Research from Johns Hopkins University suggests that closing this treatment gap could prevent nearly 100,000 non-fatal heart attacks annually in the U.S.
Another critical blood test is for ApoB, which Dr. London describes as providing “a 30,000 foot view of the atherogenic, or dangerous, cholesterol particles.” ApoB is a significant marker of cardiovascular risk because it reflects the number of atherogenic particles rather than their cholesterol content.
A 2022 review in the Journal of the American Heart Association highlighted that “apolipoprotein B (apoB) was a more accurate marker of cardiovascular risk than low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.”
The third test Dr. London recommends is for Lipoprotein (a), or Lp(a), a genetically determined lipoprotein. Elevated Lp(a) levels significantly increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. “This protein is attached to the cholesterol particles, and it increases the risk of clotting,” he explains.
The American Heart Association warns that even with healthy cholesterol levels and lifestyle, elevated Lp(a) can be present without symptoms. Dr. London points out, “Unfortunately, unlike LDL-C and ApoB, lifestyle modification does not lower Lp(a),” highlighting the importance of this test for individuals with a family history of high Lp(a) or heart disease.
Incorporating these blood tests into routine health assessments can be a proactive step toward reducing heart disease risk and promoting cardiovascular health.
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