Integrative Cardiology Labs

Traditional methods of testing for cardiovascular disease have included a blood test for a lipid panel (cholesterol panel) and the use of various risk factors. The lipid panel is a measure of the amounts of fatty substances (lipids) in the blood and includes:

• TC (total cholesterol)
• LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol)
• HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol)
• TG (triglycerides)

The focus most often for heart health has been LDL-C and HDL-C which are two key types of cholesterol:

• LDL-C: classically defined as “bad cholesterol”. However there are two key types of LDL-C which include small & dense LDL-C which are the true dangerous types of LDL-C that can penetrate vessel walls creating inflammation and damage and the large & fluffy LDL-C which are less of risk to heart health.  Traditional lab lipid panel testing does not differentiate these types of LDL-C.
• HDL-C: classically defined as “good cholesterol” which helps remove LDL-C from your blood vessels. It carries the “bad cholesterol” to the liver to be removed from the body.

Although the screening tests to date have been helpful providing basic screening information it does not tell the full story and research shows that lipid panel testing alone is not an accurate prediction of your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Clinical trials have shown that lowering LDL-C does reduce the risk for a cardiovascular event but only by 25% on average. In a nut shell this means that standard drug therapy fails to address 75% of a person’s residual risk for cardiovascular disease. Angiograms (x-ray picture of the health of a vessel) even show that those who are using traditional drug therapies may have lower cholesterol by lipid panel tests but may not have healthy vessels.  It is actually more advanced markers and the health of the endothelium (the lining of blood vessels) that gives you a more reflective measure of cardiovascular risk.

Assessment of blood vessel health and inflammation is a key component in determining one’s true risk for heart health concerns. Advanced cardio tests are recommended which include additional blood work (apoA1, ApoB, Lp (a), Homocysteine, LP particle number & size, oxidized LDL, CRP-hs, Insulin, HbA1c) and an in-office, non-invasive testing (EndoPAT 2000) which assesses the health of the endothelium.

We recommend a New Patient Visit for the most comprehensive approach to your health or a Pre-Lab Visit for a quick snapshot prior to lab testing and a Post-Lab consult to review your results.

To Book an Appointment Click Here or Call 613-829-7100

 

 

This is a traditional screen for the lipid panel which includes: Cholesterol, HDL-C, TG, LDL-C, CHOL/HDL-C Ratio. A calculation is made of your HDL% (HDL/Tchol) and TG/HDL ratios are also made which are more reflective of cholesterol profile risk.  If you already have this lipid profile performed by your medical doctor simply bring it in to your visit for further analysis.

To Book An Appointment Click Here or Call 613-829-7100

As current research evolves there is new discoveries that assist us in the understanding of the mechanisms of cardiovascular damage. While high cholesterol has been the main focal point of  CVD therapeutics for many years more reflective heart markers are now available. This cardio test evaluates more advanced markers and includes:

Lipid Panel: Cholesterol, HDL-C, TG, LDL-C, CHOL/HDL-C Ratio

Advanced Markers: ApoA1, ApoB, Lp(a), A/B ratio, Homocysteine, CRP-hs, Insulin

• ApoA1: Structural and functional component of lipoprotein particles that serve as transporters of cholesterol.  Apo A1 is the protein component of HDL-C and its concentration is inversely related to risk of CVD.
• ApoB: Structural and functional component of lipoprotein particles that serve as transporters of cholesterol. ApoB is the primary protein component of the LDL and VLDL . One molecule of Apo B is associated with each LDL or VLDL molecule, making Apo B a good indicator of CVD risk. It has been suggested that Apo B is a more reliable indicator of CVD than LDL-C, since measurement of Apo B is a direct measurement rather than a calculated measurement. In addition, the Apo B assay is not affected by hypertriglyceridemia, as is the case with the calculated LDL-C.
• A/B ratio: The apo B/apo A-I ratio reflects the cholesterol transport and has been shown to be strongly related to risk of Myocardial infarction, stroke and other Cardiovascular manifestations.
• Lp (a):  A marker for genetically-determined factors
• Homocysteine: A marker for nutritional deficiencies that increase cardiovascular risk.
• CRP-hs: A marker for inflammation & infection
• Insulin: Elevated levels increases the risk of cardiovascular disease

To Book An Appointment Click Here or Call 613-829-7100

The endothelial lining is made of endothelial cells that line your blood vessels. Research shows that evaluation of blood vessel health is vital to determining one’s heart health or stroke risk. Nitric oxide is produced by the endothelium which helps the vessels relax. Damage to the endothelial cells leads to endothelial dysfunction which may lead to vessel constriction, clot and dangerous plaque formation.

Endothelial health and dysfunction can be measured using EndoPAT 2000 testing a non-invasive in office test that tests for endothelial elasticity available at Revivelife™.  More importantly comprehensive evaluation can help to reverse cardiovascular disease and potentially do so without the use of prescription medications and their known side effects.

To Schedule Your EndoPAT test today Click Here Or Call us at 613-829-7100 (Coming Soon!)