Checking Total, HDL and LDL Cholesterol is not enough.

While it’s true that there is good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol, using these markers as the main indicator of cardiovascular health does not accurately reflect heart health.  This limited test is 30 years old and is no longer considered “state of the art”.  It may be the reason why the first sign of CV disease in 47% of men is death.  Death?  Yes.   Read on.

Total, HDL and LDL cholesterol are not sensitive enough to identify risk in about ½ of the population (men and women).

When you get tested for cardiovascular health, your serum (blood) assessment should test for 3 things:
   1-Lipid fractionation,
   2-Genetic risk of heart disease, and
   3-Lipid independent risk factors.

Lipid fractionation should identify the different types of HDL and LDL.  Specifically, your blood test should show HDL-3, HDL-2, and small-dense LDL, large-bouyant LDL.  Recommended levels are listed below and do NOT vary with age:
            -HDL-3 <   25 mg/dl
            -HDL-2 <   15 mg/dl
            -Small dense LDL , B pattern = higher risk
            -large, buoyant LDL, A pattern = lower risk.

Genetic risk of heart disease is shown by a blood lipoprotein “a” fraction, called Lp(a).
            Lp(a) should be <  10 mg/dl.

Lipid independent risk factors include serum C-reactive protein (hs CrP), Homocysteine, and Fibrinogen. 
            C-reactive protein <  1.0 mg/dl
            Homocysteine (fasting, non-challenge) <   80.0 mg/dl
            Fibrinogen < 180-350 mg/dl