The American Heart Association estimates that 80 million adults in the United States have heart disease, making it the number one killer of Americans. But 50 percent of people who have heart attacks report having “normal” cholesterol numbers.
These facts prompt two important questions: Are cholesterol numbers relevant? Are there better ways to determine who may be at risk for a heart attack?
In fact, an NC State researcher has discovered a way to provide patients and physicians with a more complete picture of heart health. His product is called the NMR LipoProfile® test, which is clinically proven more effective at predicting heart disease risk than cholesterol tests.
Using nuclear magnetic resonance, this test measures cholesterol and lipoproteins – also called LDL particles – in blood samples. LDL particles are linked to heart disease because they carry and deposit cholesterol into arteries, which turns into plaque. This condition is also known as “hardening of the arteries.”
The NMR LipoProfile® test was developed by LipoScience., an NC State University start-up company founded by James D. Otvos, Ph.D., who serves as the Chief Scientific Officer. The firm focuses on cardiovascular disease prevention and diabetes prevention.