CARDIOMETABOLIC TESTING

Cardiovascular disease is currently the leading cause of death. Standard cholesterol tests can miss that YOU are at risk. The CardioMetabolic test that I utilize offers a clinically relevant evaluation to help define risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), progression toward Type 2 Diabetes, and inflammation. It includes an Advanced Lipoprotein Particle Profile™ Plus (LPP^TM Plus), which measures lipoprotein size and density; cardiovascular risk stratification; and also includes triglycerides and traditional cholesterol screening. You will be assigned a CardioMetabolic Risk Assessment, which is an indication of your risk (Low, Moderate or High) for developing cardiovascular disease, including stroke and diabetes. In addition, the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment is an estimate of your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.  These check points help you understand that not just one factor, but rather a constellation of risk factors, contribute to the genesis and progression toward poor blood sugar control and/or ASCVD.  Results of testing allow me to know when guidance, educational referral, or treatment is necessary. Key components of the CardioMetabolic Risk Panel are listed below.

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 cholesesterol
• Have low HDL - the good cholesterol
• Have high triglycerides

I've already had my cholesterol checked, why should I have the CardioMetabolic test done?

The National Cholesterol Education 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. Inflammation is also part of the process and is tested. 

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.  Also, the breakdown of the particular “bad” lipids allows me to identify the best treatment (including the natural ones).

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.

The 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. 

• Glucose - snapshot of blood sugar at time of blood draw
• Insulin - correlates to the efficiency with which you can metabolize carbohydrates; high fasting levels indicate insulin resistance and possible pre-diabetes.
• Hemoglobin A1C - long term (2-3 months) marker of glycemic control; also considered a marker of accelerated aging
• C-peptide - a measure of endogenous insulin production; useful in distinguishing between type 1 and type 2 diabetes
• Adiponectin - a hormone that ezymatically controls metabolism; high levels are beneficial and indicate efficient cellular energy production
• Metabolic syndrome traits - A diagnosis of metabolic syndrome is confirmed if any three of the following six traits exist in a patient: (1) high triglycerides (2) high glucose (3) low HDL (4) high blood pressure (5) high waist circumference or (6) increased small dense LDL