Pathway to Heart Disease

Each year, heart attacks kill more than 8 times as many women than breast cancer and 15 times as many men than prostate cancer.

Most patients' risk for heart disease is managed by a standard cholesterol test, but cholesterol may not be enough to know your risk for heart disease.

Cholesterol causes plaque buildup in the arteries, but because it's an oily, waxy substance, it must be carried through the body in containers called lipoprotein particles. These microscopic particles travel into the arteries and deposit cholesterol. When you have too many particles that carry cholesterol into the arteries, you may have a higher risk for heart disease.

The NMR LipoProfile test measures particles to give you and your doctor more information about your heart health.

Meet Theresa: Age 57

Heart disease runs in my family. I've always watched my diet and exercised on a regular basis. Recently, my doctor ordered the NMR LipoProfile test. He told me that it measures the number of LDL particles. I never knew that cholesterol was carried in particles. My doctor told me that it's the LDL particles that are more closely tied to heart disease than cholesterol.

My doctor told me that my high LDL particle number can be treated and we discussed treatment options. My doctor said, because of my family history, we needed to lower my LDL particle number and he put me on an LDL lowering drug.

After treatment, my NMR LipoProfile test showed that my LDL particle number is down to 960. My doctor will check it on my next visit to make sure it doesn’t go back up. I feel peace of mind that my risk of having a heart attack is lower.

How to Get the Test

Ask your doctor to order the NMR LipoProfile test for you. The test is available to all doctors in the United States.

Click here to print a request for the NMR LipoProfile test to give to your doctor.

If you have questions about your results, please call your doctor.

Understanding Your Results

The NMR LipoProfile test provides the number of LDL particles and cholesterol information. Your results will help you and your doctor make more informed decisions about the treatment that's best for you.

LDL Particle Number
This section provides your LDL particle number (LDL-P).

LDL particle number is used in conjunction with other lipid measurements and clinical evaluation to aid in the management of lipoprotein disorders associated with heart disease. A recent study showed that people with low LDL particle numbers had fewer heart attacks, regardless of their cholesterol levels.¹

Based on an overall assessment of your heart disease risk, your doctor can create a treatment plan designed to lower your LDL particle number. Your doctor will determine what your goal should be.

Improved diet and exercise is an important part of your overall heart health and may lower your LDL particle number. LipoScience developed a resource based on the well documented Mediterranean diet and tips to help you get moving to assist in your efforts for a healthy lifestyle. Click here to download the brochure.

Lipids
This section provides other lipid measurements used in conjunction with LDL particle number and clinical evaluation to aid in the management of lipoprotein disorders associated with heart disease.

1. Cromwell et al. J Clin Lipidol. 2007;1:583-592.

Reimbursement

The test is reimbursed by Medicare and other health insurance plans.

If you have any questions, a LipoScience Accounts Receivable Specialist is available at (866) 547-0245 Monday through Friday (8:30am through 5:00pm ET).

If you receive an invoice and have questions, please contact your laboratory provider or LipoScience.

Online Bill Payments

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If you would like to make a payment by phone, please call our billing department toll-free at (866) 547-0245, Monday through Friday (8:30am - 5:00pm ET).

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