Why is this test important?
This profile assesses your individual risk for cardiovascular disease. It combines classical blood fat values with modern risk markers such as ApoB and lipoprotein(a) as well as the inflammation marker hsCRP. This allows atherosclerosis risks to be detected early and preventive or therapeutic measures to be planned strategically.
Included Parameters
- LDL cholesterol: Main carrier of cholesterol in the blood and central risk factor for atherosclerosis. An elevated value increases the risk for heart attack and stroke.
- Apolipoprotein B (ApoB): Protein component of all atherogenic lipoproteins. Each ApoB particle can transport one cholesterol molecule, therefore ApoB is a very precise marker for the total number of harmful particles.
- Non-HDL cholesterol: Calculated value from total cholesterol minus HDL. Captures all "bad" cholesterol fractions and is a good indicator of cardiovascular risk.
- HDL cholesterol: The "good" cholesterol that removes excess cholesterol from blood vessels. Low values are associated with increased risk.
- Triglycerides: Blood fats that rise with overweight, lack of physical activity, or insulin resistance. Elevated values are an indication of metabolic disorders.
- Lipoprotein(a): Genetically determined risk factor for atherosclerosis, independent of other blood fats. An elevated value considerably increases the risk for heart attack and stroke.
- Total cholesterol: Sum of all cholesterol fractions in the blood. Alone of limited significance, but important in combination with other parameters.
- C-reactive protein: Marker for chronic inflammatory processes in the body. Elevated values are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease, even when classical blood fats are in the normal range.
Practical Notes on Blood Collection
Blood collection should be performed fasting after 8–12 hours of fasting, as triglycerides are strongly influenced by food intake. Alcohol, acute infections, or heavy physical exertion can falsify values, particularly hsCRP, and should be avoided before collection.
