10 Key Tests to Level-Up Your Heart Health - Add Healthy Years & Lower Heart Attack & Stroke Risk

Nick Sterling, MD, PhD

In this episode, we cover why early atherosclerosis is essentially universal by young adulthood and tests that tell us about cardiovascular risk—beyond a standard lipid panel. We walk through ApoB (and why it can outperform LDL-C in some circumstances), Lp(a) and the case for checking it at least once, inflammation markers like hs-CRP and GlycA, the triglyceride–HDL relationship and TG/HDL ratio, omega-3:omega-6 balance (including an important atrial fibrillation caveat), blood pressure and endothelial stress, plus quick thoughts on homocysteine and coronary calcium scoring.Chapters:00:00 — Why almost everyone has early plaque00:01:01 — ApoB explained 00:02:12 — ApoB vs LDL-C: discordance00:02:38 — Lp(a)00:04:34 — Inflammation: hs-CRP & GlycA00:05:44 — Triglycerides & HDL00:07:19 — Omega-3:6 ratio & Atrial Fibrillation caution00:08:14 — Blood pressure & endothelial stress00:10:03 — Homocysteine & CACSpotify Channel:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sterlingmdphd/Social & Website:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sterlingmdphdX - https://x.com/sterlingmdphdFacebook - / sterlingmdphdNewsletter - http://eepurl.com/hQpdqTApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3y438C9References & Show Notes:http://www.nicksterling.com/This content is not medical advice, is for general information purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine or any other healthcare professional services. No doctor-patient relationship is formed. This content is not a substitute for medical evaluation or treatment and does not take precedence over information provided to you by your healthcare provider or official public health sources. Please visit http://nicksterling.com/terms for full Terms of Use.