| Standard cholesterol tests give an incomplete picture, leaving many people with seemingly “normal” cholesterol numbers unaware of their true heart attack risk. The LPP identifies hidden risk factors, giving health providers valuable information needed to make more effective treatment decisions. |
| Lipoproteins are like tiny beads that carry cholesterol through the body. It is the lipoproteins themselves, not the cholesterol in them, that leads to clogging of the arteries and the development of cardiovascular disease. |
| Lipoprotein numbers are important because cardiovascular risk increases as low density lipoprotein (LDL) particle numbers increase , regardless of how much cholesterol each lipoprotein particle contains. Cardiovascular risk increases because large quantities of small lipoprotein particles dramatically increase the probability of those lipoproteins penetrating the arterial wall, where they can cause serious damage. |
Cholesterol testing has historically been used as the standard indicator for cardiovascular disease classified as HDL (good) or LDL (bad). However, it is actually the lipoprotein particles that carry the cholesterol throughout the body, not necessarily the cholesterol within them, that are responsible for key steps in plaque production and the resulting development of cardiovascular disease.
Approximately 50 percent of people suffering from heart attacks have shown “normal” cholesterol numbers (NIH – National Heart Blood and Lung Institute).
Now there is an advanced cholesterol testing technology which accurately measures both the density and number of lipoprotein particles. This test is the Lipoprotein Particle Profile™, or LPP™. Measuring the lipoprotein subgroups is the only way to evaluate new risk factors, which is crucial for an accurate assessment of cardiovascular risk
– according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP). |
