A recent study conducted by Northwestern Medicine suggests that many Americans may be missing out on a more effective cholesterol test that could better identify those at risk for heart attacks and strokes. While standard lipid panels tracking LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, remain the norm for millions of patients annually, researchers found that measuring apolipoprotein B (apoB) offers a more precise look at cardiovascular health.
According to the American Heart Association, apoB is a protein found on the specific particles responsible for depositing cholesterol into artery walls, which can lead to dangerous buildup over time. The organization noted that in certain instances, a person’s LDL-cholesterol levels may appear healthy even while their apoB levels are elevated. In such cases, a conventional lipid panel fails to reveal the true extent of a patient’s heart disease risk.
This research, published in the journal JAMA this past April, arrives as medical professionals look for ways to improve preventative care. Although deaths related to heart disease and stroke have trended downward in recent years, these conditions remain the leading cause of death in the United States. Factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and high cholesterol continue to elevate these risks significantly.
Earlier this year, the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and nine other major medical organizations released updated guidelines for the screening and treatment of high cholesterol. These new guidelines emphasize the importance of measuring Lipoprotein (a), or Lp(a), at least once during adulthood. Lp(a) serves as a genetic marker for heart disease risk, and higher levels are associated with an increased long-term danger of suffering a heart attack or stroke. Like other cholesterol metrics, Lp(a) is evaluated through a standard blood sample.
