New research from Ohio University suggests that current tests for low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often called ‘bad cholesterol’, are dangerously misleading when used to predict the risk of heart attack and coronary disease.
Studies have shown that approximately three quarters of heart attack patients have LDL cholesterol levels that did not indicate they were at risk. The new research suggests it is not the level of LDL in itself that poses a risk, but the concentration of one sub-class of LDL.
The researchers found that Subclass B of LDL was the most damaging and most likely to lead to atherosclerosis. They conclude that it is actually the ratio of Subclass B LDL to the other two subclasses, A and I, that is critical to assessing risk.
The discovery could lead to more accurate diagnosis of heart health risk in the future.
We offer testing that measures the different subclasses of LDL. Contact us to find out more.