FACT SHEET:  TOP FIVE CHOLESTEROL MYTHS

Myth No. 1: If my total cholesterol and bad (LDL) cholesterol are “normal,” I don’t need to worry about heart disease.

Wrong. Even patients who get their cholesterol test results back as “normal” may be at risk for heart disease. In fact, almost half of all patients who have heart attacks have “normal” cholesterol levels, as measured by the standard cholesterol test. A new, expanded cholesterol test, however, identifies a far greater number of patients at risk of heart disease than the routine cholesterol tests. Like the standard tests, which have been available since the 1970s, the VAP® Test provides total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL, the “good” cholesterol), low-density lipoprotein (LDL, the “bad” cholesterol), and triglycerides. Advanced technology allows the VAP Test to break down these cholesterol components further, providing new information that can help physicians better assess the risk of heart disease in their patients.

Myth No. 2: If I exercise and eat healthy, I don’t need to worry about heart disease.

That’s another fallacy. Many people who are at risk or already suffer from heart disease exercise and eat right. That’s because genetics play a significant role in heart disease. In fact, a recent study of male twins, one lean and athletic and the other heavier and more sedentary, found that the brothers tended to show the same cholesterol response to high-fat and low-fat diets—even though their exercise habits were dramatically different. The study exemplifies the importance of finding out your true risk for heart disease by delving deeper into your cholesterol levels. The VAP Test measures cholesterol subclasses that provide important genetic clues to your overall cardiovascular health.

Myth No. 3: Women aren’t as susceptible to heart disease as men.

This myth couldn’t be further from the truth. Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 cause of death in women. In fact, nearly twice as many women in the United States die of heart disease and stroke as from all forms of cancer, including breast cancer. High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease and also increases the risk of stroke. Women who’ve reached their forties also tend to have higher cholesterol levels than men. In addition, research has shown that low levels of HDL appear to be a stronger risk factor for women than for men. For these reasons, it is especially important for women to have an accurate and detailed cholesterol measurement, such as the one provided by the VAP Test.

Myth No. 4: The routine cholesterol test gives me an accurate measure of my LDL cholesterol.

Wrong again. A little known fact about the routine cholesterol test is that it estimates LDL, rather than directly measuring it. This process can result in a significant under-estimation of a patient’s LDL level—and heart disease risk. The VAP Test directly measures LDL, resulting in an accurate measurement with little or no variation.

Myth No. 5: If my HDL, or “good” cholesterol, is high, I am more protected against heart disease.

This may appear to be true, but there is a catch: HDL is actually made up of HDL2 and HDL3. While people with a higher level of HDL2 are more protected against heart disease, those with more HDL3 actually may be at increased risk for heart disease—even if they have normal total HDL cholesterol. It’s important to be aware of HDL subclass measurements, especially if there’s a history of heart disease in your family. The VAP Test breaks down HDL measurements to accurately assess your cholesterol—and heart disease—risk.

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