Cardiologist series on cholesterol

"...a photograph of the truth and start treating it as what it is: estimated by a mathematical equation, sometimes useful, sometimes misleading, and sometimes simply nonsense."

I wonder whether the same isn't true of blood pressure; over-reliance on a spot-check of something that is in constant flux throughout the day.

Blood pressure has a lot of research. That said the trick is to measure it correctly, at home at rest, and in clinic at rest.* Correct BP measurements at rest are a goal not always achieved.
*in clinic some patients can't be at "rest" because of anxiety in clinic.
Best wishes

@agb, thanks for sharing this series. The discussion here has me thinking about how much context matters when we look at any one number, whether it be cholesterol or even other measurements like blood pressure that @tallbackhip and @scottrl bring up.

For cholesterol, has anyone had a situation where their doctor looked beyond the standard lipid numbers because they didn’t seem to tell the whole story? What other information or testing helped you and your doctor better understand your cardiovascular risk?

The cardiac Crp test for inflammation is one. The high sensitivity version of the test is another marker that your body is fighting something. It might not be arterial, but if nothing else is found, another risk factor. And another test that has to be specifically requested as it's not part of the standard ones that are usually run.

Ceramide testing has helped my doctor make treatment decisions for me.

- Ceramide testing helps shape individualized heart health treatment plan
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ceramide-testing-helps-shape-individualized-heart-health-treatment-plan/
Have you explored this test, @agb?

@jlharsh yes, beyond standard testing, it's helpful to know the results of a calcium score test which places a number on risk of hardened plaque in the 4 arteries leading to the heart: the main aorta and 3 minor ones. A score under 100 is preferred; over 100 be cautious; over 200 see a cardio and over 300 begin measures to address the issue. In addition, lp(a) and lp(b) levels are measured as well as APO B (number of so called minion carrying cholesterol throughout your arteries. This number should be low.

@71young where do you get a number unnder 100? I get blood work alot and my scores stay under 10. There is no number 0 to 100. It is 1.0 to 10.

@9yellowbox The calcium score test I referred to is not a blood test, rather a scan of the heart valves. This test measures level of calcification in the arteries.
1–99: Mild calcification; low to moderate risk
100–399: Moderate calcification; increased risk, often prompting consideration of statin therapy
400 or higher: Extensive calcification; high risk, usually leading to more aggressive treatment and lifestyle interventions

@71young I was sure
You mentioned blood test. I checked it right away since I keep all my copies. Disappointed.

@jlharsh I've not heard of that test before; thanks for sharing. I'm going to ask my MD at my next visit if he can run that test