Cardio IQ® Testing
Understanding your heart health goes beyond standard cholesterol tests. The Cardio IQ® panel provides a more complete picture by measuring not just cholesterol levels, but the size, number, and type of lipoprotein particles—along with other key markers tied to inflammation, metabolism, and vascular health.
Why Go Beyond a Standard Lipid Panel?
A typical cholesterol test gives you basic numbers—like total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. But it doesn't show whether your cholesterol is being packaged and managed in a way that supports or harms cardiovascular health.
That’s where Cardio IQ® comes in—with advanced detail that helps us understand your true cardiovascular risk and tailor your care more effectively.
| Standard Lipid Panel | Cardio IQ® Advanced Testing |
|---|---|
| Measures total LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides | Includes standard lipids plus advanced markers for a complete cardiovascular profile |
| Provides total LDL cholesterol level | Measures LDL particle number (LDL-P) and LDL particle size |
| Cannot differentiate LDL particle types | Distinguishes between LDL-S (small, dense) and LDL-M (larger, buoyant) particles |
| No information on inflammation | Measures inflammatory markers such as Lp-PLA2 and hs-CRP |
| No oxidation markers | Includes oxidized LDL to assess vascular oxidative stress |
| No metabolic risk indicators | Includes Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) to assess lipid-related cardiovascular risk |
| No genetic insight | Measures Lipoprotein(a), a genetically influenced marker of cardiovascular risk |
| Offers a basic cardiovascular risk estimate | Provides a deeper, more accurate understanding of cardiovascular risk |
| General lifestyle recommendations | Guides personalized care strategies based on individual lipid and metabolic patterns |
LDL Particle Size Matters
Two people with the same LDL level can have completely different cardiovascular risk based on particle size and number.
🧱 LDL-S (Small, Dense LDL)
More likely to slip into artery walls
Easily oxidized and more inflammatory
Often elevated in individuals with insulin resistance, high triglycerides, or metabolic issues
Associated with greater cardiovascular risk
🎈 LDL-M (Medium/Large, Buoyant LDL)
Less likely to become oxidized or contribute to plaque
More common in people with stable blood sugar and better metabolic function
Associated with lower cardiovascular risk
What to Expect
This is a blood test that can be requisitioned through the clinic. A follow-up consultation is required to review your results and create a plan based on the findings. Depending on your profile, we may focus on areas such as inflammation, insulin resistance, lipid metabolism, or oxidative stress.
Take the Guesswork Out of Heart Health
If you're looking to move beyond basic cholesterol numbers and want a deeper understanding of your heart health, the Cardio IQ® panel offers detailed, actionable insight.
Book a consultation to learn if this test is right for you