Is an apoB test a better way to check your cholesterol?
This blood test, which measures a protein in your bloodstream, is more closely linked to heart disease risk than LDL cholesterol level.
- Reviewed by Samia Mora, MD, MHS, Contributor
Excess cholesterol in your bloodstream can accumulate inside your arteries, paving the way for a heart attack or stroke. But to assess your risk of heart disease, a standard cholesterol test may not always give the full picture. Some people — especially those with diabetes, fatty liver disease, or obesity — might benefit from a test that measures apolipoprotein B (apoB).
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About the Author
Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
About the Reviewer
Samia Mora, MD, MHS, Contributor
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