Lower Your Long-Term Heart Disease Risk.

HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance) is a calculation that estimates insulin resistance by factoring in both fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin levels. Insulin resistance is a condition where your body doesn't respond well to insulin, leading to higher blood sugar levels. This is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. By measuring HOMA-IR, you can assess how well your body is using insulin and identify early signs of insulin resistance.

Lipoprotein (a), or Lp(a), is a type of cholesterol particle that is important because it can contribute to cardiovascular disease through several mechanisms. Elevated Lp(a) levels can lead to plaque buildup in arteries, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis. Lp(a) also promotes inflammation and blood clot formation, both of which can contribute to heart attack and stroke. Additionally, Lp(a) can interfere with the body's ability to break down clots, leading to an increased risk of blockages in the arteries.Unlike other cholesterol particles, Lp(a) levels are largely determined by genetics and are not significantly affected by diet or lifestyle.

ApoB is an atherogenic particle responsible for transporting "bad" cholesterol, contributing to plaque formation in arteries. Research indicates that ApoB is a more accurate predictor of cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction, compared to LDL-C. Elevated ApoB levels are strongly linked to increased cardiovascular risk, making it a valuable biomarker for assessing the likelihood of cardiovascular disease.

ApoA1, the main protein in HDL-C particles, plays a crucial role in cholesterol transport and clearance. It is considered the most informative biomarker for "good" cholesterol and is used to assess cardiovascular disease risk.

HDL Cholesterol (HDL-C) is often referred to as "good" cholesterol because it helps remove excess cholesterol from your bloodstream, transporting it to the liver for excretion. HDL-C helps protect your arteries from the buildup of plaque, which can lead to atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. Additionally, HDL-C plays a role in metabolic health by influencing insulin sensitivity and reducing inflammation.

LDL Cholesterol (LDL-C), often referred to as "bad" cholesterol, is a type of cholesterol that can build up in the walls of your arteries, forming plaques. This buildup can narrow and harden your arteries, leading to atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases.

HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1c) is a biomarker that measures the average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months and is used to diagnose and monitor diabetes. Levels that are consistently above 5.6% may warrant a visit to a physician.

Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood, and they are an important biomarker for assessing your overall health, especially your heart health. Measuring triglyceride levels is valuable because high levels can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and pancreatitis. Elevated triglycerides are often associated with other conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. High triglycerides can also be a sign of insulin resistance, where your body doesn't use insulin effectively, leading to higher blood sugar levels and increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) is a biomarker that measures low levels of inflammation in your body. Inflammation is a natural response to injury or infection, but chronic low-level inflammation can be a sign of underlying health issues, including cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders. Elevated hs-CRP levels are associated with a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, and conditions like insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that plays a crucial role in managing stress, regulating metabolism, reducing inflammation, and controlling blood sugar levels. Abnormally high cortisol levels can be a sign of chronic stress, Cushing's syndrome, or other health problems, leading to symptoms such as weight gain, high blood pressure, and mood swings. Conversely, abnormally low cortisol levels can indicate adrenal insufficiency or Addison's disease, resulting in fatigue, weight loss, and low blood pressure.

The Triglyceride:HDL-C ratio compares the level of triglycerides, a type of fat found in your blood, to the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), often called "good" cholesterol. A higher Triglyceride:HDL-C ratio can indicate a higher risk of heart disease because it suggests that there are more fats in your blood relative to the amount of protective HDL-C. This condition can lead to the buildup of plaques in your arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Additionally, a high Triglyceride:HDL-C ratio is a strong indicator of insulin resistance, a condition where your body doesn't respond well to insulin, leading to higher blood sugar levels and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is a key factor in metabolic syndrome, which is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is a crucial biomarker used to assess thyroid function. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and regulates the production of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) by the thyroid gland. These hormones are essential for regulating metabolism, energy levels, and overall health. High TSH levels can indicate hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid), where the thyroid isn't producing enough hormones, leading to symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and depression. Low TSH levels can indicate hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid), where the thyroid produces too many hormones, causing symptoms like weight loss, anxiety, and rapid heartbeat.

Homocysteine (HCY) is an amino acid in your blood that is normally broken down by vitamins B6, B12, and folate. Measuring homocysteine levels is important because high levels can indicate a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack and stroke. Elevated homocysteine levels can also be linked to deficiencies in these essential vitamins.

Fasting insulin levels measure the amount of insulin in your blood after you haven't eaten for at least 8 hours. This is important because insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. By measuring fasting insulin, you can gain insights into how well your body is managing blood sugar and whether you might be developing insulin resistance, a condition where the body doesn't respond properly to insulin. Insulin resistance can lead to type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and other health issues.

The ApoB/ApoA1 ratio is highly valuable for detecting atherogenic (plaque-filled artery) risk. The lower the ApoB/ApoA1 ratio, the lower the risk.

Total cholesterol measures the overall amount of cholesterol in your blood, including LDL-C (bad cholesterol) and HDL-C (good cholesterol). Monitoring total cholesterol is important because high levels can lead to the buildup of plaques in your arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) is an enzyme found primarily in the liver, and elevated levels can indicate liver damage or disease.

Creatinine is a waste product produced by muscles and filtered out of the blood by the kidneys. High levels of creatinine in the blood can indicate that the kidneys are not working properly, which could be due to conditions such as chronic kidney disease or acute kidney injury.

eGFR (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) is a crucial measure of kidney function. It estimates how well your kidneys are filtering waste from your blood. Monitoring eGFR is important because it helps detect early signs of kidney disease, even before symptoms appear. By knowing your eGFR, you can assess kidney health, track any changes over time, and take steps to prevent further damage.

Fasting glucose measures the level of sugar in your blood after you haven't eaten for at least 8 hours. This test is important because it helps determine how well your body regulates blood sugar, which is crucial for energy and overall health. High fasting glucose levels can indicate prediabetes or diabetes, conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious health problems.

HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance) is a calculation that estimates insulin resistance by factoring in both fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin levels. Insulin resistance is a condition where your body doesn't respond well to insulin, leading to higher blood sugar levels. This is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. By measuring HOMA-IR, you can assess how well your body is using insulin and identify early signs of insulin resistance.

Lipoprotein (a), or Lp(a), is a type of cholesterol particle that is important because it can contribute to cardiovascular disease through several mechanisms. Elevated Lp(a) levels can lead to plaque buildup in arteries, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis. Lp(a) also promotes inflammation and blood clot formation, both of which can contribute to heart attack and stroke. Additionally, Lp(a) can interfere with the body's ability to break down clots, leading to an increased risk of blockages in the arteries.Unlike other cholesterol particles, Lp(a) levels are largely determined by genetics and are not significantly affected by diet or lifestyle.