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5 life-saving blood tests you must know, according to a US doctor |


Most people book a doctor’s appointment only after symptoms appear. Though we all know prevention is the best measure, we take regular health checkups lightly. Many chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s, silently appear years before the warning signs appear. Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen, a board-certified endocrinologist and expert in obesity medicine, based in New York, discusses some blood tests that can be life-saving. Here are 5 blood tests that can detect the risk for heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and organ damage long before symptoms appear, according to her. Let’s take a look.

Lp(a) test

Heart attack blood test

This is a test that measures lipoprotein(a) levels in your body. It helps to assess your risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke. “This is your single highest hereditary risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Know your number, and this test is usually only done once,” Dr. Whalen said in a video shared on Instagram. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally. In 2022, CVDs led to an estimated 19.8 million deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This is approximately 32% of all global deaths.

ApoB test

Good blood test results (25-Hydroxyvitamin D)

An ApoB (Apolipoprotein B) test is a blood test that measures the amount of ApoB protein, the primary protein in LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol particles and other lipoproteins. Dr. Whalen emphasized that it is even better than the simple LDL test. “This number is more important, or this result is more important than your LDL, your non-HDL, because it encompasses all the lipid particles that can cause atherosclerosis or plaque. Having a high APOB, you are at high risk of a heart attack,” she said.

ApoE test

Why this blood test could be a game-changer

Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia, is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people globally. It is also the seventh leading cause of death. But what if you can detect it years before. ApoE is a genetic test that can identify your risk of Alzheimer’s. This test identifies which variant of the APOE gene a person carries, specifically determining the presence of APOE2, APOE3, or APOE4 alleles. “This tells us if you are at risk, high risk, of developing late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. And for many, it’s a hard test to take, and many say, I don’t wanna know my results, but if you know that, then you can modify any other risk factor that can cause Alzheimer’s disease or dementia,” the doctor explained.

OGTT or HbA1c

Longevity expert shares two blood tests for heart, brain health

Image credits: Getty Images

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) measures how your body processes glucose in real-time after a sugary drink, while the HbA1c test measures average blood sugar over 2-3 months. The doctor suggests taking either an A1c or an oral glucose tolerance test. “Now, the oral glucose tolerance test is a little bit more difficult to do, easier on A1C, and this value, or this result, it’s, we can take it into account as long as you don’t have any anemia or any iron disorders.

CMP

For blood health

One especially useful test is the A CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel) test, as most people have unhealthy lifestyles It is a routine blood test that measures 14 different substances in the blood. It can tell a lot about your overall metabolism, electrolyte balance, and organ function, particularly that of your kidneys and liver.

Bottom line

We all know that prevention is better than a cure. Dr. Whalen stressed the importance of getting these bloodworks done. “Most people have never even heard of these, but they can save lives. Ask your doctor. Advocate for yourself. Knowledge = prevention. So now you know it, five tests that everybody, no matter the age, should know the results of,” she added.





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