Advanced Heart Health Basic

This test measures cholesterol levels in peritoneal dialysate fluid, the fluid used during peritoneal dialysis treatment for kidney disease. Cholesterol in dialysate can indicate peritoneal membrane problems or nutritional issues in dialysis patients. While not a standard screening test for cardiovascular risk, it provides information specific to dialysis adequacy and peritoneal membrane function. Elevated levels may suggest membrane changes or metabolic complications.

HDL-2 is a specific subtype of 'good' cholesterol that is particularly protective against heart disease. This specialized test uses ultracentrifugation to isolate and measure HDL-2 cholesterol specifically. Higher HDL-2 levels are associated with better cardiovascular health and lower risk of heart attack and stroke. While standard cholesterol panels measure total HDL, this advanced test provides more detailed information about HDL quality, helping clinicians assess detailed cardiovascular risk in patients with metabolic concerns or significant family histories of heart disease.

This test detects IgE antibodies against brewer's yeast proteins, indicating a potential yeast allergy. Brewer's yeast is used in fermented foods and beverages including beer, wine, and some breads. A positive result suggests you may experience allergic symptoms—ranging from mild itching or hives to gastrointestinal symptoms—after consuming yeast-containing foods. This test helps identify yeast as an allergy trigger, useful for those with suspected yeast sensitivity.

This advanced test measures the proportion of cholesterol carried by HDL 3c, a specific subtype of HDL (good cholesterol). HDL particles vary in size and density; larger HDL particles are considered more protective against heart disease. By analyzing the cholesterol distribution within HDL subclasses, this test provides detailed insight into the quality of your HDL, which may offer a more nuanced picture of cardiovascular risk than standard HDL testing alone.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation. Measured in serum or plasma, CRP is one of the most widely used markers of systemic inflammation. It rises rapidly (within hours) in response to bacterial infections, autoimmune flares, tissue injury, and malignancy. High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) at lower levels is used for cardiovascular risk stratification. CRP is valuable for monitoring treatment response in rheumatologic conditions, infections, and post-surgical recovery. Unlike ESR, CRP responds quickly to changes in inflammatory status.

This test measures the proportion of cholesterol in HDL 3a particles relative to total HDL cholesterol. HDL subfractions—including the smaller HDL 3a particles—have different cardiovascular protective effects. HDL 3a particles are generally smaller and less cardioprotective than larger HDL 2 particles. This ratio provides insight into HDL quality and particle composition, which may offer additional cardiovascular risk assessment beyond traditional HDL cholesterol levels.

percentile (of population)

Medium-sized beta lipoprotein subparticles are components of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. Advanced lipid tests measure the size and number of these particles, providing more detailed information than standard cholesterol tests. Increased levels of small, dense LDL particles are associated with greater cardiovascular risk, as these particles more easily penetrate artery walls. This test helps identify individuals at higher heart disease risk despite normal total cholesterol levels.

This test measures small, dense LDL cholesterol particles, a subset of low-density lipoprotein. Small, dense LDL particles are more atherogenic (damage-prone) than larger LDL particles and penetrate artery walls more easily, increasing cardiovascular risk. Elevated small dense LDL is associated with metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, low HDL, and elevated triglycerides. This test provides more detailed cardiovascular risk assessment than standard LDL measurement alone, particularly useful for individuals with metabolic risk factors or family history of heart disease.

Non-HDL cholesterol represents all cholesterol particles except beneficial HDL cholesterol, including LDL and other atherogenic particles that contribute to plaque buildup in arteries. Unlike total cholesterol, non-HDL is considered a better predictor of cardiovascular risk because it measures the 'bad' cholesterol more accurately. Elevated non-HDL cholesterol increases risk of heart attack and stroke, particularly in people with high triglycerides or metabolic syndrome. Managing non-HDL through diet, exercise, and sometimes medication is important for heart health.

This test calculates the ratio between LDL cholesterol (the 'bad' kind that builds up in arteries) and HDL cholesterol (the 'good' kind that protects your heart). Rather than looking at each individually, this ratio provides a comprehensive picture of your cardiovascular risk. A lower ratio is healthier, indicating better heart protection. This metric is often considered more predictive of heart disease risk than LDL or HDL levels alone, making it valuable for assessing overall cardiovascular health.

This test measures the amount of cholesterol carried specifically by LDL (low-density lipoprotein) particles, the 'bad' cholesterol that can accumulate in artery walls. Unlike standard LDL tests, this advanced method directly measures LDL cholesterol separately from other similar particles, providing a more accurate assessment. Elevated LDL cholesterol is a key risk factor for heart disease and stroke. This test helps guide treatment decisions and monitor the effectiveness of cholesterol-lowering therapies.

LDL cholesterol particles vary in size, and particle size pattern affects cardiovascular risk. Large, buoyant LDL particles are less atherogenic (less damaging to arteries), while small, dense LDL particles are more atherogenic. This test identifies your predominant LDL particle size pattern, providing insight beyond standard cholesterol measurements. A predominance of small, dense LDL particles is associated with higher cardiovascular risk, even with normal total LDL cholesterol. This test helps refine risk assessment and guide targeted interventions.

Total number of LDL particles (LDL-P) in namomoles per liter (1 nmol/L=6x10(14) particles/L)

Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) is the main protein component of LDL cholesterol particles and other atherogenic lipoproteins. Unlike standard cholesterol testing, ApoB directly counts the number of atherogenic particles in your blood, providing a more accurate cardiovascular risk assessment. One ApoB protein sits on each particle regardless of size, making ApoB a superior predictor of heart attack and stroke risk. This test is increasingly recommended for better cardiovascular risk stratification, particularly in people with metabolic syndrome or family history of early heart disease.

This test detects IgE antibodies against egg white allergens in your blood. Egg allergy is common in children but can persist into adulthood. Reactions range from oral itching and hives to gastrointestinal symptoms and anaphylaxis in severe cases. A positive test confirms egg allergy and guides dietary avoidance of eggs and egg-containing products. Note that some individuals can tolerate cooked eggs (where proteins are altered) even if they react to raw eggs, so reactions may vary by food form.