Case Study: Heart Disease Risk

I seem and feel healthy. Do I still have a chance of developing a heart disease?

Evan Underwood was a dedicated marathon runner who had exercised vigorously each day for 30 years. In 48 years of life, he lived through a healthy diet, never smoked and only consumed alcohol moderately. After he lost his dad and uncle to an unforeseen heart disease, he also became concerned about his heart.

Right after finding out about his strong family history, Evan went to see one of the cardiologists that his insurance plan covered. Naturally, several tests were conducted to check for abnormalities in order to make sure that he was not at risk like his family members. After undergoing a thorough examination, he was told he was in excellent shape and that he could go on with his healthy life style.

His HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) was high and LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) was low due to his exercise level; his cholesterol, due to his healthy diet was standard, and he had minimal body fat. The doctor also checked Evan's blood pressure and stress level. He had a perfect blood pressure and his stress test was normal. Overall, he had nothing to worry about. The doctor even sarcastically told Evan that he was the last person that Evan needed to see.

Evan, relieved, carried on with his life, exercising and eating healthy as usual. A year later, his worries rushed back when his cousin was also diagnosed with a heart condition. Doubtful with the diligence of the previous healthcare he had received, he explored further options. During his search, he heard about EliteHealth and the paramount care they had provided for one of his colleagues.

When Evan first came to EliteHealth, the previously conducted tests were reviewed. The problem solving at EliteHealth comprised of two parts: Diagnosis and Risk Stratification. EliteHealth physicians believed that a strong diagnostic work-up with routine tests were already conducted, so they proceeded to the risk stratification element. With the recommendation of his physician, Evan had a Heart Scan (Calcium Score Testing).
Heart Scan (Calcium Score Test)

A CAT(computerized axial tomographic) scan uses x-rays to do detailed images of internal body structures and in this case the arteries of Evan's heart. In addition it can look at the heart itself to see if there are any abnormalities of the muscle, the valves or the outer lining of the heart. When it comes to recognizing early blockages that may occur within the arteries of the heart, it is a noninvasive approach that may save lives. It is a 30sec procedure and needs to be repeated every 3-5years depending on the results.

Evan expected a score indicating a healthy cardiovascular system. Instead, he had a high score of 437 (0 is normal). A build-up of calcium in his coronary arteries put him at high risk for blocked blood vessels and a 25% chance of having a heart attack if left untreated, higher than the general public.

The mystery was all the more intriguing because his resting blood pressure and fasting cholesterol levels, the usual measures of cardiovascular health, were in the normal range. With this information, Evan's physician, suspected that Evan had a genetic disorder called Lp(a) ordered an Advanced Lipid Profile test.

Advanced Lipid Profile Test
The risk factors for heart disease extend beyond cholesterol. They include small proteins and lipoprotein subtypes. Standard blood fat (lipid) tests estimate the total cholesterol level: LDL ("bad") cholesterol, HDL ("good") cholesterol and triglycerides. Advanced lipid profile testing takes it a step further. Instead of looking at just the total levels of LDL and HDL, these extra blood tests usually take a closer look at the components of LDL and HDL. This additional information can improve the ability to predict the risk of cardiovascular disease from about 40% to more than 90%.

With the results of the Advanced Lipid Profile test, it was confirmed that Evan had the Lp(a) genetic disorder that makes the LDL cholesterol highly acrogenic, much more likely to cause pluck formation. Studies have identified Lp(a) as a putative risk factor for atherosclerotic diseases such as coronary heart disease and stroke. Since this disorder is not affected by diet, or exercise, without his stratification test, it would be evident that Evan would have gone to have a heart attack or develop severe blockages in his coronary arteries in the near future.

Heart disease is the number one killer of American men and women. About every 26seconds, an American will suffer a heart attack and about every minute someone will die from one. EliteHealth, by adopting an individual treatment program for everyone, aims to save lives. At EliteHealth every patient is treated distinctively, and EliteHealth professionals take healthcare to the next step.

Learn more about our preventive health screening tests. Speak with a representative by calling 866-245-4231 or click the link below to send us an email.