The standard blood tests that help doctors see total cholesterol numbers, LDL figures, and HDL numbers can provide an accurate assessment of risk for heart disease. Recent changes in testing, however, show that these standardized blood tests for cholesterol may only be 40% accurate in identifying high risk individuals. That’s where the VAP blood test can help.
The Vertical Auto Profile blood test provides additional measurements that specifically look at the risks of cardiovascular disease development. It provides a more accurate measurement of an individual’s LDL levels, looks at the pattern density of the bad cholesterol, and looks at lipoprotein subclasses that can be dangerous and lead to strokes or heart attacks.
It is not uncommon for someone to have normal results from a standardized lipid panel and then test positive on the VAP blood test.
What Do My Test Results Mean?
There will be positive or negative results in terms of looking at the structure of the cholesterol and its subtypes. A more accurate LDL number will also be achieved because the various subtypes of LDL are also measured. Certain forms are more potentially dangerous than other forms and this can affect your overall treatment plan. Someone with a low LDL number may have a high LDL subclass that is dangerous.
Each test measurement will be given a number, just as it would on the standard lipid panel. What those numbers mean depends on an individual’s unique health situation at that given moment. The first test result to look at is the HDL levels. Any number above 40 is good news. The HDL2 levels should be above 10 for men and above 15 for women, while the HDL3 levels should be above 30 for men and above 25 for women. All numbers are mg/dL measurements.
Then you’ll want to take a look at your overall LDL numbers. Your total number should be less than 130. For LDL-R, the number should be less than 100. Any values above these two figures can put someone at a greater risk for heart disease development.
There will also be figures for triglyceride levels, VLDL, and IDL. Each screening is used to evaluate personal risk in these areas. In total, 15 separate components of blood cholesterol are examined on this test, so be sure to ask a medical provider about what any specific results may mean in relation to a personal medical history.
Here’s What You Need to Know
Cardiovascular disease is the #1 cause of premature death in the United States. The risk factors for disease development grow with age, which means there is more risk for a stroke or a heart attack to occur. The VAP blood test helps to fill in the 60% gap of accuracy that the standard lipid panels are not able to catch.
Many cholesterol tests are also based on a reactionary response to a crisis situation. The VAP blood test can be given to anyone at any time to determine what someone’s risk factors for disease development may be. It can detect risks that are far into the future and allow for personalized treatment plans to be created long before they’ll actually need to be used.
The VAP blood test also saves money. It may cost more for some patients as an out-of-pocket expense, but when the entire framework of medical care is examined, costs are up to 35% less for those who receive VAP testing because of the better accuracy of the cholesterol numbers it is able to provide. Although the test may not be right for everyone, anyone who could be at a medium to high risk of developing cardiovascular disease should certain consider this blood test.
Should You Get the VAP Blood Test?
Anyone who has weight issues, low exercise lifestyle habits, and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease should consider speaking with their doctor about the pros and cons of the VAP blood test. A standard lipid panel has been useful in the past, but this blood test provides a more accurate picture of what your health needs may be right now and what needs to change so future results can be improved.
Certain proactive measures to lower cholesterol levels can also be taken right now. Consider dietary changes, add some strenuous exercise to your workout routines, or just start exercising if you haven’t been doing so regularly. All of these actions can help to lower your cholesterol levels. Your medical provider may also speak with you about your VAP blood results and whether taking a statin is a good choice.
It is never too late to change. The VAP blood test results can help to inspire needed changes. With accurate information, a better treatment plan can develop. That’s information that can literally save someone’s life.