Researchers in a study they conducted have found a test that helps assess the risk of cardiovascular diseases and provides more accurate results than the currently used cholesterol test.
The study was conducted by researchers from several European universities in collaboration with Harvard University in the United States. The study was published in the European Heart Journal on April 28, 2025, and was reported by the York Alert website.
The researchers recommended using a protein level test called “apolipoprotein B” (apolipoprotein b), which is found on the surface of lipoproteins in the blood and indicates the total number of harmful cholesterol particles. In addition to measuring the level of “lipoprotein a,” whose levels are linked to genetic factors in most individuals, which most doctors may overlook.
The tests “Apolipoprotein B” and “Lipoprotein A” are not new tests; they have been present for a long time in most blood testing laboratories. Researchers in this study found that these two tests are better at detecting the risk of heart disease.
Screening effectiveness
Dr. Jacob Morze, one of the researchers in the study and a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Precision Cardiovascular Medicine at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, said that the traditional cholesterol test is still good, but it may underestimate the risk of disease in some patients. As it may not provide an accurate number for the total amount of harmful cholesterol, unlike what is shown by the ApoB protein level test.
Cholesterol is a form of fat, and it plays a role in cell building and the production of certain vitamins and hormones. Cholesterol cannot dissolve in blood, so it is transported to various cells by lipoproteins.
Lipoproteins
Lipoproteins are divided into four main types, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and lipoprotein a. These types share the presence of a specific protein on their surface called apolipoprotein B. These lipoproteins deposit on the walls of blood vessels when their levels are elevated, forming fatty plaques that affect the health of the heart and arteries.
As for the fourth type known as high-density lipoprotein (HDL), its function is to remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and dispose of it in the liver. This type is known as good cholesterol.
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide according to the World Health Organization. Most cases can be avoided by making some lifestyle changes, such as avoiding
About smoking, healthy and balanced nutrition, and increasing physical activity.
