The number of heart attack patients has risen sharply in the past few years. Serious problems like heart attack and cardiac arrest are no longer limited to the elderly. Many younger people are also falling victim to these diseases, and the death rate is rising.

Many tests are performed to assess heart health, such as a lipid profile, ECG, and heart CT scans. However, according to experts, there's another blood test that's often overlooked but crucial for identifying heart attack risk. This test is called the ApoB (apolipoprotein B) test.

This is a simple blood test that measures the levels of harmful lipoproteins in the blood, which form a fatty layer in the blood vessels. This can narrow the blood vessels and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Nowadays, the ApoB test is considered one of the most important tests for accurately identifying the risk of a heart attack. Because sometimes, even with normal cholesterol levels, the blood can still contain high levels of dangerous particles, which can increase the risk of a heart attack.

What exactly is tested in the ApoB test?

Information obtained from this test

LDL (bad cholesterol)

VLDL

IDL

Lipoprotein (a) or Lp(a)

According to Dr. Tarun Kumar, Professor in the Department of Cardiology at Medanta Medicity Moolchand Hospital, the lipid profile test only measures blood cholesterol levels, while the LDL test only measures the amount of bad cholesterol. However, the ApoB test provides information about the total number of harmful lipoprotein particles in the blood. Therefore, this test is often considered better for identifying heart attack risk.

Who needs the ApoB test?

Dr. Tarun Kumar says that everyone should have this test at least once in their lifetime. However, it's especially important for these people.

Diabetes patients

People with insulin resistance

People with high triglycerides

People with obesity

Those who have a family history of heart attacks at a young age

People who have normal bad cholesterol but are at risk for heart disease

Many people have normal LDL, or bad cholesterol, levels. However, there are smaller particles in the blood and their numbers are higher. These particles accumulate more easily in the blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack. Only an ApoB test can accurately diagnose such conditions.

How much does this test cost?

The ApoB test is not very expensive. It costs approximately 300 to 500 rupees in private labs. Rates vary depending on the lab. Some government hospitals also offer this test for free.

What should ApoB levels be?

Less than 90 mg/dL – Good for people who are at risk of heart attack.

Less than 80 mg/dL – People who are at higher risk of heart attack should maintain this level.

Less than 65 mg/dL – This is considered a good range for people who have had a heart attack before.

PC: Star Hospitals