High-Risk Heart Health Lipid and Lp(a) Panel

Do you have a personal history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) as a young adult, or a strong family history of ASCVD? Having high LDL cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), or lipoprotein (a) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, especially for those with a history of ASCVD.

Most people with high levels of cholesterol and lipoprotein(a) don't have any symptoms and don't know they are affected. High Lp(a) levels run in families as they are genetically determined. Because Lp(a) levels are determined by your genes, they do not change throughout your lifetime. They are usually unaffected by your diet, lifestyle or environment. This means once you’ve had your Lp(a) level measured, you won’t usually need to have it checked again.

This test panel measures your cholesterol, triglyceride, and lipoprotein(a) levels to determine your risk for, and allow for intervention in helping to lower the risk of, Myocardial Infarction (MI), heart attack, heart disease, and/or stroke.

$75.00

+ $6.00 Physician Service Fee

Who is getting tested? *

Quantity

Test Type

In Person

What

This panel measures total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (calculated), cholesterol/HDL ratio (calculated), non-HDL cholesterol (calculated), and lipoprotein(a).

Who

Must be 18+ years of age to purchase

Orders not permitted in: AK, HI, AZ

How

Type of sample to be collected:

Blood (venipuncture - a needle is used to draw blood from a vein)

Where

Find a location near you

Schedule an appointment, and then visit one of our Patient Service Centers

About the Test

This panel is an extended lipid panel that measures total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (calculated), cholesterol/HDL ratio (calculated), non-HDL cholesterol (calculated), and lipoprotein(a) to determine your risk for heart attack, heart disease, stroke, and other diseases of the blood vessels for those with a history of premature ASCVD not explained by major risk factors.

If the results show you have higher than normal levels of cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), or other abnormal results, you and your healthcare provider can work together to determine next steps.

High-Risk Heart Health Lipid and Lp(a) Panel

How do I know if this test is right for me?

This test may be right for you if you:

You have a personal history of ASCVD as a young adult
Family history of premature ASCVD
You want to better understand your risk of a heart attack, heart disease, stroke, and other diseases of the blood vessels

Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance found in everyone’s blood and is needed to make cell membranes, some hormones, and Vitamin D. Cholesterol comes from some animal-based foods, such as eggs, meat, and dairy. It is also produced by the liver. Too much cholesterol in the blood can clog blood vessels, reducing the flow of blood to the heart, brain, and other organs. This can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious health conditions.

This measures the total amount of cholesterol found in your blood. This is the combination of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or “good”) cholesterol. Too much cholesterol in your blood may damage arteries and blood vessels, which may increase the risk for a stroke, heart attack, and heart disease.

Triglycerides are fats that are formed from foods such as oils, dairy, and red meat. These fats get converted into triglycerides and are stored away in fat cells to be used when needed. High levels of triglycerides can lead to hardening and thickening of the arteries.

HDL, which is often called "good" cholesterol, picks up extra cholesterol that is circulating in the blood and takes it back to your liver so it can be removed from your body.

LDL, often called "bad" cholesterol, transports cholesterol throughout your body to the cells that need it. Too much LDL can make cholesterol build up in your arteries, making them narrow and stiff, or blocking them, which makes it more difficult for blood to flow.

Cholesterol/HDL ratio is the ratio of HDL to your total cholesterol. A higher ratio means that you don’t have enough HDL for the amount of LDL, and that can lead to cardiovascular disease.

Non-HDL cholesterol measures the combined amount of cholesterol in the blood that is not HDL cholesterol. High levels of non-HDL cholesterol may increase the risk of atherosclerosis (narrowing of arteries).

Lipoprotein(a), like LDL, is a low-density lipoprotein that transports cholesterol throughout the body. Too much of it can cause cholesterol to build up in your blood vessels, forming plaques and reducing blood flow to your brain, heart, and other body parts.

High cholesterol or lipoprotein(a) may not have signs and symptoms. However, in many cases high cholesterol or lipoprotein(a) can increase the risk for a heart attack or stroke. A blood test is the only way to know for sure if you have high cholesterol or lipoprotein(a).

This panel is for anyone with a family or personal history of ASCVD.

You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase.

Fasting (not eating or drinking anything except water) for 8-12 hours is recommended. If you are not able to fast before the test, your triglyceride levels may be elevated. If you are taking medications, check with your healthcare provider to see whether you should take them before the test.

When your results are ready, we will send them to you in a clear, easy-to-read report.

You will have the option to consult with an independent physician to discuss your results.

Together, you can determine the next best steps for your care.

Your test results will be available to you a few days after we collect your sample.

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Conveniently schedule your appointment online at one of our Quest Diagnostics locations. Certain tests may also offer self-testing home delivery.

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View your results through your secure account online. And it's easy to share the result with your doctor.

Your results are available on our free, secure patient portal that you can access on your smartphone, tablet, or desktop. You will receive an email notification when your results are ready. You can also share your results with your doctor, family, or friends.

Recent research suggests that knowing your Lp(a) level is essential to understanding your risk for heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease. Learn more about Lp(a) here.

FAQs

What’s the difference between lipoproteins, and Lp(a)?

Cholesterol travels through the bloodstream on particles made of protein and fat (lipoproteins).

Good cholesterol (HDL), bad cholesterol (LDL), and lipoprotein(a) are all lipoproteins that carry cholesterol throughout the body.

Lipoprotein(a), in short Lp(a), is referred to as “genetic” lipoprotein. Lp(a) is an LDL-like particle with an added second protein, apo(a), which acts similarly to a patch of “Velcro” on an LDL particle. It is considered a very “sticky” lipoprotein particle because of the function of the added protein.

Are there genetic risk factors for developing high cholesterol?

Yes, high cholesterol can be genetic when there's a family health history of this condition. Additionally, some individuals may inherit a life-threatening genetic disorder known as familial hypercholesterolemia. This condition causes extraordinarily high LDL cholesterol levels from a young age and, if untreated, worsens with age.

How do the Lp(a) levels increase in the blood?

Your Lp(a) level is generally between 80-90% genetically determined. An elevated Lp(a) alone increases cardiovascular disease risk. There is a greater chance of inheriting this risk factor if one of your parents also has or had elevated Lp(a).

What is atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerotic plaques cause blood vessels to harden and narrow. This restricts the blood flow and oxygen supply to organs. It also increases the risk of blood clots forming. These clots can block the flow of blood, causing heart attack, heart failure, peripheral artery disease or stroke.

Many people may not know they have atherosclerosis because there may not be symptoms. But it can eventually cause problems that are life-threatening. So, it’s important to be aware of cardiovascular disease risk factors and how to manage them.

High-Risk Heart Health Lipid and Lp(a) Panel

Who is getting tested? *

Test Type