Apolipoprotein Assessment Blood Test

Apolipoprotein Assessment Blood Test evaluates risk of cardiovascular disease and includes apolipoprotein A-1, apolipoprotein B, and apolipoprotein B/A1 ratio.

Description

The blood test for apolipoprotein is used to evaluate the overall heart health and heart attack risk of a person. The test is usually ordered for those: 

• who have other conditions or habits - such as diabetes, obesity, smoking, or kidney
• who have peripheral vascular diseases
• who have already survived a heart attack 

Apolipoprotein is used to metabolize lipids and create high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), often called "good" cholesterol. The HDL moves through the bloodstream and helps remove "bad" cholesterol from the artery walls and moves it to the liver, which then filters out bad cholesterol and expels it as waste from the body. If the levels of apolipoprotein or HDL are too low, bad cholesterol may build up and start blocking the arteries, increasing the risk of a heart attack caused by a blood clot getting stuck. Men are more prone to have heart-related conditions than women are, mainly due to women naturally having more apolipoprotein in their blood and therefore their bodies can get rid of "bad" cholesterol more efficiently. 

Blood test results are interpreted by obtaining an estimated count of apolipoprotein in the blood sample. Low apolipoprotein levels in the blood also suggest low HDL levels. This places one at an increased risk of heart attack and other heart problems. Taking certain medications, routine exercise, or becoming pregnant can cause higher than normal levels of apolipoprotein in the blood.