Most patients are familiar with the standard lipid panel: total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides. While these tests provide foundational information, sometimes more detailed insight is needed.
Dr. Paddock often recommends additional laboratory testing and imaging to uncover deeper insights into cardiovascular risk. These tests can be run through standard labs and imaging centers
Advanced Cholesterol Testing
When your doctor wants more detailed information about your cholesterol, they may order an NMR LipoProfile or CardioIQ test.
These tests go beyond standard LDL measurements and evaluate:
- LDL particle count and size: Smaller, denser LDL particles are more likely to contribute to arterial plaque formation.
- Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and lipoprotein (a): Key markers that reflect the number and behavior of cholesterol-carrying particles, offering additional insight into cardiovascular risk beyond LDL alone.
Inflammation and Cardiovascular Risk
Inflammation plays a central role in cardiovascular disease. Additional tests can help identify underlying inflammatory and metabolic imbalances that contribute to plaque instability and arterial damage:
- High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)
- Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2)
- Homocysteine
Imaging for Heart Health
In addition to lab testing, imaging studies provide a direct look at arterial health:
- Coronary Calcium Score: Detects how much plaque has built up in the coronary arteries, helping assess risk for heart attack and stroke.
- Carotid Doppler Ultrasound: Evaluates arterial health and can detect early signs of atherosclerosis before symptoms appear.
A Personalized Approach
By integrating these assessment tools, our naturopathic doctors aim to better assess and subsequently better address the causes of cardiovascular risk, empowering patients with a clearer, more personalized understanding of their heart health.
