Atherosclerosis Profile 1 Test

• Atherosclerosis test is basically done to assess the status of the blood vessels of the heart and the risk of cardiac diseases, stroke, and peripheral vascular diseases. The cholesterol tests measure the levels of individual cholesterols in the blood.
• Lp (a) serum test is prescribed to understand how well the cholesterol is transported in the body. This gives a more detailed idea of the risk of heart diseases than the routine cholesterol screening and may help in early detection of potential cardiovascular problem.
• Apolipoproteins B/A is a test that can help predict cardiovascular risk in patients. It gives a more detailed idea of the risk of heart diseases than the routine cholesterol screening.
• Lp-pla2: It is a vascular-specific inflammatory biomarker providing information on risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is useful in cases of early stage heart diseases, family history of hypercholesterolemia and blood vessel diseases having normal triglycerides and total cholesterol levels.

The Atherosclerosis Profile-1 test is done to assess the status of the blood vessels of the heart and the risk of cardiac diseases, stroke, and peripheral vascular diseases. t includes:

• Total cholesterol test: It measures the levels of individual cholesterols.
• Lp (a) serum test: It helps to ascertain how the cholesterol is transported in the body. This gives a clearer idea of the risk of heart disease compared to regular cholesterol screening and may help diagnose potential cardiovascular issues at an early stage.
• Apolipoproteins B/A: It helps doctors to assess cardiovascular risk factors in patients. t gives a clearer idea of the risk of heart disease than regular cholesterol screening.
• Lp-pla2: It looks for the vascular-specific inflammatory biomarker, Lp-pla2, providing information on the risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). t is useful in cases of early-stage heart disease or for those with a familial history of hypercholesterolemia.
• HDL: High-density lipoprotein, also known as good cholesterol. igh levels of HDL are preferred as it flushes out other forms of harmful cholesterol.
• LDL: Low-density lipoprotein, also known as bad cholesterol. t should ideally be lower.
• Non-HDL: Removing HDL from total cholesterol gives Non-HDL values, which helps determine risk factors for heart disease.
• VLDL: High VLDL levels also point toward clogged arteries and heart conditions.
• Triglycerides: They can help assess the risk of peripheral arterial disease and can also be used to treat heart disease.

The test measures the Cholesterol-Total, HDL, Non HDL, LDL, VLDL and Triglycerides, Lp(a), Apolipoproteins B/A1, Lp-PLA2 in blood.

This test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.

Maintaining lipid levels within the desirable ranges helps lower risk of heart attacks and stroke. Low HDL levels (below acceptable levels) are associated with increased risk for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) . High levels of Non HDL Cholesterol (above acceptable levels) are associated with increased risk for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). High lipoprotein (a) levels lead to cholesterol being deposited in the arterial walls which causes thickening or clogging of the arterial walls also known as ""atherosclerosis"". This disrupts the flow of blood to the heart and other vital organs. This increases the risk of heart diseases, strokes, and other peripheral arterial diseases. High B/A1 ratio increases the risk of heart diseases. Low ratio may reduce the risk of cardiac diseases and stroke. Apo-B/A1 ratio is a more specific test that gives a clearer picture of the risk of heart diseases as compared to routine cholesterol tests. High Lp- PLA2 levels may indicate need for more aggressive lipid lowering therapy to reduce the risk of CVD events. Patient with high levels are prone to rupture of plaque and associated cardiovascular events Low levels may mean that Lp- PLA2 levels are not contributing to the heart disease.

To prepare for an Atherosclerosis Profile-1 test, your doctor will likely take a medical history and perform a physical exam. You may need to fast for 12-14 hours before the test. This means you won't be able to eat or drink during that time. our doctor will give you specific instructions on preparing for the test.

Below are the normal levels for the Atherosclerosis Profile - 1 test :

• Cholesterol: Upto 200 mg/DL
• HDL: Minimum of 60 mg/DL
• Non- HDL: Maximum of 130 mg/DL
• LDL: Between 100 to 129 mg/DL. t might vary if you have conditions like diabetes.
• VLDL: Between 2 to 30 mg/DL
• Triglycerides: Upto 150 mg/DL
• Lp(a): Should not exceed 30 mg/DL
• Apolipoprotein A1: Between 110 to 180 mg/DL for men and between 11 to 205 mg/DL for women.
• Apolipoprotein B: Should not exceed 100 mg/DL
• Lp-PLA2: Within 200 ng/DL

Atherosclerosis, or arteriosclerosis, also known as coronary heart disease (CAD), is a serious heart condition caused due to the blockage of the coronary arteries due to plaque buildup. It can lead to cardiovascular complications like heart attack and cardiac arrest without prompt treatment.

• Total Cholesterol
• HDL Cholesterol
• Non-HDL Cholesterol
• LDL Cholesterol
• VLDL Cholesterol
• Triglycerides
• Lipoprotein (a) or Lp(a)
• Apolipoproteins B/A1
• Lp-PLA2

Atherosclerosis is the deposition of fats/cholesterol in blood vessels leading to plaque formation. This blocks or clogs the blood vessel, leading to an insufficient blood supply to the body's vital organs. Blood vessels of the heart are most commonly affected by this condition, leading to coronary artery disorders— he Atherosclerosis Profile-1 test measures up to 9 parameters that can lead to atherosclerosis or plaque formation.

People with the following symptoms or conditions should go for an Atherosclerosis Profile-1 test:

• Pain in the chest, racing heartbeat, shortness of breath along with nauseating sensation and excessive sweating
• Pain and cramping in the legs during a walk or climbing stairs or gradients
• Loss of memory and trouble with vision
• Erectile Dysfunction
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• High blood cholesterol (hyperlipidemia)

Atherosclerosis profile one is a comprehensive package that helps to screen for the risk of atherosclerosis and associated heart ailments. Such packages include:

1. Lipid Profile Mini:

This panel includes:

• Cholesterol
• LDL
• HDL
• Triglycerides

1. Pacer-26:

This panel includes:

• Blood composition
• Lipoprotein levels

1. Atherosclerosis Profile 2:

This panel includes:

• Cholesterol-Total
• HDL
• Non-HDL
• LDL
• VLDL and Triglycerides
• Lp(a)
• Apolipoproteins B/A1
• Lp-PLA2
• HsCRP
• Homocysteine

1. Lipid Profile Maxi:

This panel includes:

• Cholesterol-Total
• HDL
• Non-HDL
• LDL
• VLDL and Triglycerides
• Lp(a)
• Apolipoproteins B/A

The normal levels for the Atherosclerosis Profile-1 Test are: total cholesterol up to 200 mg/dL, HDL minimum 60 mg/dL, non-HDL maximum 130 mg/dL, LDL 100-129 mg/dL, VLDL 2-30 mg/dL, triglycerides up to 150 mg/dL, Lp(a) not exceeding 30 mg/dL, apolipoprotein A1 110-180 mg/dL for men and 111-205 mg/dL for women, apolipoprotein B not exceeding 100 mg/dL, and Lp-PLA2 within 200 ng/dL.

The Atherosclerosis Profile-1 Test is used to assess the risk of heart diseases, strokes, and peripheral vascular diseases. It helps diagnose potential cardiovascular issues at an early stage, monitor the effectiveness of lipid-lowering therapies, and is recommended for individuals with a familial history of hypercholesterolaemia or early-stage heart disease.

The frequency of undergoing the Atherosclerosis Profile-1 Test depends on individual risk factors and medical history. Your doctor recommends testing based on age, family history, lifestyle, and pre-existing health conditions. Healthy individuals should get tested every 5 years.

The Atherosclerosis Profile-1 Test is usually done in the morning after an overnight fast of 12–14 hours. This is because fasting ensures that your blood lipid levels are not affected by any recent meals, providing more accurate results.

Fasting is required for the Atherosclerosis Profile-1 Test. However, it’s always best to follow any specific instructions provided by your healthcare provider or the testing laboratory, as they may have additional guidelines based on your health condition.

Apart from fasting, inform your doctor about any medications you are taking, as some may affect the test results. Also, avoid drinking alcohol or taking supplements like niacin, aspirin, or oral oestrogen hormones before the test, as these can influence the results.

The Atherosclerosis Profile-1 Test measures total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoprotein (a) or Lp(a), apolipoproteins B/A1 ratio, and Lp-PLA2. These parameters provide a comprehensive assessment of your blood lipid levels and cardiovascular health.

The Atherosclerosis Profile-1 Test should be done as part of routine health check-ups, especially for individuals with risk factors like family history of heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, or smoking.

The blood sample collection for the Atherosclerosis Profile-1 Test usually takes less than 5 minutes. However, the entire process may take around 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the diagnostic centre.

The reports for the Atherosclerosis Profile-1 Test are usually available within a week depending on the day/time when the sample was collected and processed. However, this may vary depending on the diagnostic centre and the workload.