Cardiovascular Health

Standard lipid panels measure Total Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and Triglycerides. While useful, these markers alone may not capture the full picture. ApoB reflects the number of potentially atherogenic particles, Lipoprotein(a) is a genetically determined risk factor that standard panels miss, hs-CRP can indicate low-grade inflammation, and Homocysteine is an amino acid whose elevated levels have been associated with cardiovascular risk. This panel combines all of these for a more detailed dataset.

This panel may be relevant for:

• Men who want to go beyond a basic cholesterol test
• Those with a family history of heart disease or stroke who want additional data points
• Men who are actively managing their cardiovascular health through diet, exercise, or supplementation and want to track relevant markers
• Anyone curious about markers like ApoB or Lp(a) that are not typically included in standard panels

• Total Cholesterol (mmol/l): the total amount of cholesterol in the blood.
• HDL Cholesterol (mmol/l): often referred to as "good" cholesterol; involved in reverse cholesterol transport.
• LDL Cholesterol (mmol/l): the primary carrier of cholesterol to tissues; elevated levels may be associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
• Triglycerides (mmol/l): a type of fat in the blood that can be influenced by diet, alcohol, and metabolic status.
• ApoB (g/l): Apolipoprotein B, a protein found on atherogenic lipoprotein particles. Some research suggests it may be a more precise indicator of particle number than LDL alone.
• Lipoprotein(a) (g/l): a genetically determined lipoprotein that may be associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Largely unaffected by lifestyle changes.
• hs-CRP (mg/l): high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein, a marker that may reflect systemic low-grade inflammation.
• Homocysteine (umol/L): an amino acid; elevated levels have been associated with cardiovascular risk in some studies, and may be influenced by B-vitamin status.

The strength of this panel lies in combining standard lipid values with advanced markers. For example, a person might have a normal LDL reading but an elevated ApoB, which could suggest a higher number of small, dense particles. A high Lp(a) value is largely genetic and cannot be changed through lifestyle, but knowing it exists allows for more informed risk discussions. Elevated hs-CRP alongside shifted lipid values may suggest an inflammatory component. Together, these markers can contribute to a more nuanced understanding of cardiovascular health when reviewed with a healthcare provider.

A blood sample is drawn at a certified sample point (afnamepunt). There are over 750 locations across the Netherlands. After placing your order, you can select a location and time that suits your schedule. The appointment typically takes around 10 to 15 minutes.

This panel may be useful when:

• You want a more detailed cardiovascular marker profile than a standard lipid panel provides
• You have a family history of cardiovascular disease and want additional data
• Previous lipid results were borderline and you want more context
• You are tracking the impact of diet, exercise, or supplementation on cardiovascular markers

Results are presented with reference ranges for each marker. Lipid values are typically reviewed as a group; the ratios between them (such as Total Cholesterol/HDL or Triglycerides/HDL) can also be informative. ApoB and Lp(a) have their own reference ranges and are interpreted differently than standard cholesterol. hs-CRP can be influenced by recent illness or intense exercise, so context matters. A healthcare provider can help determine what the overall pattern may mean for your individual risk profile.

Fasting for 8 to 12 hours is required for accurate lipid and triglyceride readings. Water is fine during the fasting period. Avoid intense exercise and alcohol in the 24 hours before the test, as these can temporarily affect lipid and hs-CRP values.

Results are typically available within a few business days. Your report includes values for all markers alongside reference ranges. Given the advanced nature of some markers in this panel (ApoB, Lp(a), Homocysteine), discussing the results with a healthcare provider who can contextualize them within your overall health picture is recommended.