When the vessels are prone to higher pressure with hypertension, tiny micro-tears can occur more readily in inflamed vessels. When inflamed vessels are exposed to elevated blood sugar levels, those sugars coating the red blood cells aggressively rub along the surface of the vessel causing tears.
The Cardiometabolic Panel identifies risk factors for heart disease and stroke beyond cholesterol and lipoprotein size. The LPP particle element of this test provides information on your levels of inflammation in the entire body, c-reactive protein, as well as a marker, homocysteine, specifically in the vessels. Also, this test provides a complete particle count and insulin value to assess blood sugar metabolism and risk for metabolic syndrome. Research has shown that there are different sizes of LDL and HDL particles and some are more dangerous than others. Although we think of the LDL as “bad” cholesterol, the larger buoyant LDL particles float through the vessels without causing harm. It is the small dense LDL particles that are prone to oxidation (damage) leading to plaque formation.
