Worried about high cholesterol? Experts recommend eating these foods.
There are many familiar foods that lower cholesterol and make you feel bright and energetic.
Cholesterol testing, which many Americans don’t have, could help identify people who need treatment to reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke, according to a new study from Northwestern Medicine.
In the study, published in April in JAMA, researchers found that measuring apolipoprotein B (apoB) was more effective than tracking non-HDL or LDL cholesterol, often referred to as “bad” cholesterol, which millions of Americans test each year.
Although deaths from heart disease and stroke have declined in recent years, they remain the leading cause of death for Americans, according to the American Heart Association.
High cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke, as can high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking.
What is ApoB?
ApoB is a protein found on particles that can deposit cholesterol in artery walls, the American Heart Association explains. Over time, these particles can cause a buildup within the arteries.
“In some cases, ApoB may be elevated even if LDL cholesterol appears to be at a healthy level, in which case a standard lipid panel may not fully indicate the risk of heart disease,” the group added.
Other ways to measure risk
Earlier this year, the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, and nine other major medical associations jointly issued updated guidelines for screening and treating people with high cholesterol levels.
The new guidelines note that lipoprotein (a) or Lp(a) is a genetic marker of heart disease risk and should be measured at least once in adulthood. The higher the number, the higher the long-term risk of heart attack or stroke.
Lp(a), like other cholesterol tests, is measured through a blood sample.
