Traditionally, doctors have used tests measuring the LDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol and HDL in the blood. While it offered some information, it didn't tell much of the story into the factors that predict coronary disease. In fact, it didn’t even identify 50 percent of the at risk patients. That's why the VAP cholesterol test was such an important diagnostic tool. VAP stands for Vertical Auto Profile.
Helps Customize Your Diagnosis
The VAP supplies information to help your doctor make a customized diagnosis to help prevent disease and allows the patient to follow the recommended steps, with the progress measured every step of the way. It can aid in the prevention of both stroke and heart attack. Routine cholesterol tests only offer basic information while the VAP presents the VAP Expanded Lipid Profile. It includes the problems with cholesterol that might remain hidden if the patient only depended on the routine cholesterol testing. In fact, both the "Wall Street Journal" and Forbes.com praised the test calling it one of the five tests worth paying for and one of the ten ways to live longer.
Identifies Factors that Lead to Diabetes
The VAP cholesterol test identifies more than just the cholesterol levels. It can identify metabolic syndromes too. In fact, in addition to heart disease it also can identify factors that lead to diabetes. It offers information about cholesterol subclasses and their components. One example is the levels of apolipoprotein B 100—apoB100. Many new studies show that apoB is a better indicator of coronary risk. The VAP test identifies that risk.
Provides Accurate Measurement of Your LDL Levels
The VAP measures the LDL levels more accurately. It also measures the LDL pattern density. That's important because the large fluffy LDL is not as dangerous as the small, dense type that causes plaque to develop. It measures the subclasses of cholesterol such as HDL2, HDL3, very-low-density lipoproteins such as VLDL1, VLDL2 and VLDL3. It also measures the intermediate density lipoprotein—IDL—and lipoprotein(a), which can be a danger for heart attacks and strokes.
More Accurate than Old Cholesterol Panel
The test is far more accurate than old cholesterol panels were. In fact, it identifies many people at risk for coronary disease that tested normal with previous cholesterol testing. The information offered can help track the changes to see if medication or lifestyle changes altered any of these numbers and whether taking further steps to get your cholesterol levels in line with normal is necessary.
Vap Cholesterol Test Preparation
Cholesterol test preparation includes fasting for 8 to 12 hours. While you can drink water during this time, coffee, colas, teas or other drinks besides water can interfere with the test results. In addition, VAP cholesterol test preparation includes letting your doctor know about the medications you take. He may decide to suspend the medication for a short time during the fasting period to get a more accurate result.
When You Receive the Results
When you receive the results of the VAP cholesterol test, don't worry if your HDL levels are high, 60 and above is good. If they're primarily the HDL2 type, then your risk factor is lower because that's the good cholesterol, which protects your heart. As you can tell, with so many different types of "good" and "bad" cholesterol, differentiating between them is important to the identification of your risk factors for heart disease. Without the VAP cholesterol test, it’s like identifying a suspect in a murder and saying he had blond hair. With the Vap test it's similar to saying he had blond hair, was five-foot two-inches and his name was Bill Smith. The test hones in on the true culprits of heart disease and the beneficial lipid levels in the blood.
