The Big 3 Lab Tests You Must Have: Women and Men

At the Kahn Center for Cardiac Longevity, all patients either bring extensive lab testing or they arrange, in the clinic or at a distance, a large panel of lab tests that are predictive of heart disease, its causes, and its implications for the future. For years, this panel has included an 1) LDL-cholesterol, 2) hs-CRP, and a 3) Lipoprotein(a) measurement (and many more).

A new study now reports that these 3 lab tests predicted cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcome in women over a 30 year period of follow up. It is unusual to have 30 year follow up on CVD studies so we must learn more.

STUDY

The researchers measured high-sensitivity CRP, LDL cholesterol, and lipoprotein(a) levels at baseline in 27,939 initially healthy U.S. women who were subsequently followed for 30 years. The primary end point was a first major adverse cardiovascular event, which was a composite of myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, stroke, or death from cardiovascular causes.

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants at baseline was 55 years. During the 30-year follow-up, 3662 first major cardiovascular events occurred.

Increasing baseline levels of high-sensitivity CRP, LDL cholesterol, and lipoprotein(a) all predicted 30-year risks.

The increased long-term risk was 70% higher for an elevated hs-CRP, 52% higher for an elevated LDL cholesterol, and 33% higher for an elevated lipoprotein(a).

CONCLUSIONS

This fascinating study showed that a combined measure of high-sensitivity CRP, LDL cholesterol, and lipoprotein(a) levels among initially healthy U.S. women was predictive of incident cardiovascular events during a 30-year period. That is a long time.

A distressingly small number of patients I see, men and women, have never had their there hs-CRP and lipoprotein(a). This new study makes the strongest case to be sure you have these tests (and more).

CVD is a complex process and involves metabolic issues, inflammation, and cholesterol disorders are some of the major players along with genetics and lifestyle. Be sure you know your status.

When these labs, and others, are checked, in addition to some cardiac imaging like a coronary calcium CT scan, carotid IMT ultrasound, and a coronary CT angiogram, a powerful plan can be implemented for long term health

Author

Dr. Joel Kahn

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