2 Life Saving Lab Tests That Predict Your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Plus Video on How to Slash Your Changes of Having a Stroke or Heart Attack by 50%

As recent studies advice- the important thing is to balance your HDL or “good” cholesterol and LDL or “bad” cholesterol; mainly to reduce LDL oxidation. Additionally, a diet that includes daily intake of healthy fats such as; avocados, nuts, wild caught fatty fish, organic grass-fed butter, and eggs, of coconut oil (find pure certified organic coconut oil here).

A sterol-based diet works effectively in lowering bad cholesterol levels too. The October 2009 issue of the Harvard Heart Letter reports that changing the type of food you eat can help you bring down your cholesterol levels.

Surely adopting a heart-healthy diet will do your body wonders by balancing cholesterol levels and free you from the risk of ischaemic heart disease or stroke. However, managing life stressors– meditating or yoga, a nice walk with a friend or loved one, exercising even for 30 minutes every day, and adapting a healthier life style, in general, is key.

[box title=”Health Tip: Kale as a Cholesterol Lowering Food ” style=”noise” box_color=”#e9e9e9″ title_color=”#2d5d20″ radius=”12″]Kale can provide you with some special cholesterol-lowering benefits if you will cook it by steaming. The fiber-related components in kale do a better job of binding together with bile acids in your digestive tract when they’ve been steamed. When this binding process takes place, it’s easier for bile acids to be excreted, and the result is a lowering of your cholesterol levels. (source) [/box]

>>Must Read: How to Have Better Cholesterol Numbers

New Tests To Ask For That Reveal Your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Size and Subtype Matter

According to Dr. Sinatra, the size and type of your cholesterol and triglyceride particles, and the presence of Lp(a), are so important in assessing your risk of heart disease, you need to make sure that the cholesterol testing you get does indeed measure these different values. Dr. Sinatra recommends you talk to your doctor about having either the Vertical Auto Profile (VAP) test or the Lipoprotein Particle Profile (LPP) test.

• Vertical Auto Profile (VAP) test. This test will analyze your LDL cholesterol and determine if it is made up of predominantly the small, dangerous particles or the larger, more benign particles. It will also tell you how much Lp(a) is circulating in your blood. In addition, the VAP test breaks out your HDL cholesterol subtypes, letting you know if you have more of the HDL2 subtype, which is most beneficial. It also measures the levels of each type of triglyceride. You can find out more about the VAP test.
• Lipoprotein Particle Profile (LPP) test. The LPP test also measures the different triglyceride types and breaks cholesterol into fractions smaller than LDL and HDL and analyzes the particles comprising each of them, just like the VAP test. But I believe the LPP test has an advantage over the VAP test because its methodology allows for more precise measurements and because it can also measure remnant lipoprotein (RLP), which is a particularly threatening type of cholesterol.

If you already take medication to “lower cholesterol”. It’d be a good idea to seek the help of an integrative medicine cardiologist to run the right tests.

Ideal Triglycerides & Cholesterol Levels (Dr. Sinatra’s recommendations)

• Total Cholesterol: 180 to 250 mg/dL
• Total HDL Cholesterol: 40 to 120 mg/dL for women; 35 to 120 mg/dL for men
• HDL Cholesterol Subtypes: Greater than 25 mg/dL for HDL2; greater than 15 mg/dL for HDL3
• Total LDL Cholesterol: 80 to 140 mg/dL
• LDL Cholesterol Subtype Lp(a): less than 30 mg/dL for a standard blood test; less than 10 mg/dL for a VAP test
• Total Triglycerides: 50 to 150 mg/dL
• Triglycerides Subtype VLDL3: less than 10 mg/dL

Some supplements such as Omega Q plus with resveratrol (100–400 mg CoQ10) per Dr. Sinatra’s (one of the top integrative cardiologists in the country) recommendation, and Nattokinase. Nattokinase— is nature’s very own blood thinner. It’s an all-natural soybean extract {non-GMO form} that’s known to support healthy blood pressure and improve circulation to every part of your body, so you can feel young and energized. Both will help in reducing inflammation and cardiovascular disease prevention. Here is a great excerpt from one of Dr. Sinatra’s articles describing CoQ1o:

[quote]Often called the “miracle nutrient” or the “universal antioxidant,” CoQ10 exists in the mitochondria—or power plants—of our cells, and scavenges and destroys free radicals that cause heart disease and other cardiovascular problems. Hundreds of studies have documented the actions of CoQ10 and most doctors and holistic health practitioners are in awe of its effectiveness. So am I! [/quote]

Along with everything mentioned in this article and the lifestyle changes you must adapt to, the video below reveals a well-kept secret to slashing your risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke by 75%-80%.

You will no longer need Beta Blockers or worse yet- statins which by the way, deplete coenzyme Q10 that is essential for Cardiovascular health.

If you are interested in the Arteriosclerosis book recommended in the video. You can find it here on Amazon.

As always I am not a doctor and the information provided on my website is for informational purposes and do not replace a physician’s diagnosis or care. If you are experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, or have a history of heart disease, cardiovascular disease o heart attack symptoms seek medical attention immediately or call 911. This are serious warning signs!

Thanks for reading, sharing and liking this post. Please spread the knowledge with family and friends who can benefit from having these tests done and adopting lifestyle changes that are crucial to prevent the build up of plaque.
Question: Have you had these tests done? Do you know what your cholesterol subtypes are? You can leave a comment below
To Your Best Health,