This test measures the following biomarker:

• Total cholesterol

  Cholesterol is a lipid that is found in the blood. It comes from food that you eat and is also manufactured in the liver. Total cholesterol is comprised of various different types of cholesterol including low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol. Cholesterol is a fatty substance essential for building cells and producing many hormones. When levels are elevated, excess cholesterol is deposited into the blood vessels and is associated with heart disease and stroke.

• HDL

  High density lipoprotein (HDL) is often referred to as the "good" cholesterol. It removes LDL ("bad cholesterol") from your arteries and takes it to the liver where it is metabolized or broken down into bile acids and excreted from the body in the bile. Elevated HDL is generally considered protective against heart disease and stroke, however extremely high levels can also be problematic. Low levels increase risk of heart attack and stroke due to buildup of excess LDL in the blood vessels.

• LDL

  Low density lipoprotein (LDL) is often referred to as the "bad" cholesterol. It is produced in the liver and is deposited into the tissues where it is used to build cell membranes and hormones. Elevated LDL comes from your genetics and your diet. Eating saturated and trans fats will increase LDL levels. When oxidized, LDL is deposited into the arteries where it creates plaque and contributes to heart disease and stroke. Low LDL is associated with inflammation and increased risk of cancer and mood disorders.

• Triglycerides

  Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the bloodstream. Triglycerides are produced by the body from the food we eat and are also stored in fat cells for later use as energy. While triglycerides are essential for normal body function, high levels can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Extremely elevated levels are associated with pancreatitis, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

• LDL/HDL ratio

  The LDL/HDL ratio measures the balance between low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or "bad" cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, or the "good" cholesterol. This ratio provides a more comprehensive assessment of your cardiovascular risk than individual cholesterol levels alone. A higher ratio indicates a greater risk of heart disease and stroke. Elevated LDL levels contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries while higher HDL levels help remove cholesterol from the bloodstream.

• Cholesterol/HDL ratio

  The CHOL/HDL ratio is a measurement derived from dividing the total cholesterol (CHOL) level by the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level. This ratio helps assess cardiovascular risk, as a higher ratio indicates a greater risk of heart disease, while a lower ratio suggests a lower risk.

• VLDL

  VLDL is a type of lipoprotein made by the liver. VLDL is composed of a protein, cholesterol and triglyceride molecule combined together. VLDL is transported to the body and blood vessels where triglycerides are removed from the VLDL leaving an LDL cholesterol molecule. At high levels, VLDL can contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries leading to heart disease, and stroke.

• Homocysteine

  Homocysteine is an amino acid produced in the body during the metabolism of a dietary amino acid called methionine. Elevated homocysteine has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease including coronary artery disease and stroke. Homocysteine levels can be influenced by genetic factors, dietary intake of vitamins B6, B12, and folate, and certain medical conditions such as chronic kidney disease, thyroid disorders, and conditions that cause malabsorption.

• hsCRP

  hsCRP is a marker of inflammation and risk of heart disease and stroke. hsCRP is elevated with inflammation in autoimmune diseases, infection, smoking, obesity, high carb and high processed food diets, and with cardiovascular diseases. hsCRP is one of the most sensitive, simple and affordable tests to determine your risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke; even when you have no symptoms. Even very slight increase in hsCRP levels above normal can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.

• ApoA-I

  Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA-I) is the main protein component of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, also known as "good cholesterol." ApoA-I carries excess cholesterol from blood vessels and transports it to the liver for excretion or recycling. Elevated ApoA-I is generally protective by removing and preventing cholesterol buildup in the vessels of the heart, brain and body. Low levels indicate higher risk of heart attack and stroke due to decreased ability to remove cholesterol deposits from the blood vessels.

• ApoB

  Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) is a protein that is produced in the liver where it is combines with cholesterol and other fats to make VLDL cholesterol. It is carried from the liver to the body and blood vessels where it is converted to LDL cholesterol and is deposited into the tissues and blood vessels. Elevated ApoB usually also means elevated LDL and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This test is particularly useful for evaluating the risk of heart disease and stroke.

• ApoB/ApoA-I ratio

  The ApoB/ApoA-I ratio reflects the balance between the primary protein component of LDL (ApoB) to the HDL cholesterol protein component (ApoA-I). The higher the ratio, the higher the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This reflects the role of LDL in increasing plaque buildup in the blood vessels which contributes to heart disease and stroke.

• Lipoprotein A

  Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a lipoprotein that transports cholesterol from the liver to the rest of the body. It is composed of LDL-like particles, apolipoprotein A particles, and ApoB-100 particles. When elevated, Lp(a) increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke more than any other lipid does. Lp(a) is thought to contribute to hardening of and build up of plaque in the blood vessels. Elevated Lp(a) is familial. Twenty to 30% of people have an elevated Lp(a), though testing for Lp(a) is seldom done. Lp(a) tests are measured either in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or in nanomoles per liter (nmol/L). Both are effective ways to measure Lp(a). When converting md/dL to nmol/L, you can use a multiplier of approximately 2.21 times the mg/dL to get the number of nmol/L.