SHOULD I SEEK HELP FROM MY CARDIOLOGIST IF I WANT TO KNOW MY STROKE AND HEART ATTACK RISK?

A cardiologist or internist can help define your risk profile by getting a history (family history, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia), and arranging for a fasting lipid level.  In high risk stings additional risk can be found with a lipid NMR study assessing non-traditional risk factors such as lipoprotein particle size.  Other risk factors, PLAC, CRP, homocystenine could also help with higher risk patients. 

POSTED BY:  Steven Ajluni, MD