Heart disease remains a leading cause of death in the U.S. In fact, in 2021 alone, heart disease and stroke claimed more lives than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease combined.
Despite the prevalence of heart disease, the condition often arises with few visible symptoms or warning signs. As a result, it can be difficult to recognize heart disease before it potentially causes serious health complications.
To help you learn more about heart disease—from risk factors and common misconceptions to steps you can take to prioritize your heart health—we spoke with Dr. Margery Connelly, PhD, MBA, FAHA, strategic director of diagnostics research and development at Labcorp. She discussed what heart disease can look like, potential causes of the condition and more.
Can you explain what cardiovascular disease (CVD) is?
CVD refers to several conditions that affect your heart and your vascular system. These could include heart disease, which is caused by atherosclerosis, a condition that happens when cholesterol builds up in the wall of the arteries that bring blood to your heart. Blockage of these arteries can stop blood flow to the heart and lead to a heart attack.
CVD may also include heart failure, sometimes called congestive heart failure. This is when the heart isn’t pumping blood as well as it should. CVD can also refer to a stroke, when a blood vessel to the brain gets blocked by a blood clot and blood no longer flows, causing damage to part of the brain.
More information about CVD can be found at the American Heart Association website.
Can you explain the difference between heart disease, heart attack and stroke?
Heart disease refers to the buildup of cholesterol in the coronary arteries to your heart.
Heart disease can lead to a heart attack, which occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked and the heart muscle starts to die from lack of oxygen.
Stroke refers to a blockage in blood flow to a part of the brain. Like the heart, lack of blood flow to the brain can cause death to brain tissue due to lack of oxygen.
"There's also arrhythmia, which refers to an irregular heartbeat," adds Dr. Connelly. "Some arrhythmias cause the heart to beat too slowly (bradycardia), while others cause the heart to beat too fast (tachycardia). Either way, arrhythmias can affect how well your heart works and may lead to complications like heart failure or blood clots that can lead to stroke."
What risk factors contribute to CVD?
Risk factors for CVD include:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol levels (i.e., dyslipidemia)
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Family history of heart disease
- Smoking
- Physical inactivity
Post-menopausal women are also at higher risk for CVD. Due to hormonal changes that happen around menopause—specifically, a decline in estrogen, a hormone found to have a protective effect on the coronary arteries—women may face a higher risk of coronary artery disease, especially those who experience menopause before age 40.
How can someone assess their risk of developing CVD?
Labcorp OnDemand’s Complete Heart Health Test provides results for a lipid panel, ApoB, GlycA and the diabetes risk index (DRI). These tests will provide information that speaks to CVD risk factors. For example, the lipid panel can tell you if you have high cholesterol. The DRI can tell you if you are at high risk of progressing to Type 2 diabetes. If your ApoB levels are high, then you may have a higher risk of heart disease. GlycA is a unique marker for inflammation. High inflammation is a biomarker for higher CVD risk.
This panel of tests is offered exclusively at Labcorp because the results are determined using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and the GlycA test and DRI have been developed by Labcorp.
What advantage does NMR offer over traditional methods for cardiovascular risk testing?
“NMR is a technology that can provide more information about a patient’s dyslipidemia (i.e., high cholesterol and/or high triglycerides) and, in turn, a more comprehensive look at the risk of CVD and diabetes,” says Dr. Connelly. “NMR provides more detailed information about the size and concentration of lipoprotein particles (e.g., cholesterol), such as LDL, HDL and VLDL, as well as ApoB, which are important for assessing CVD risk and the risk of progressing to Type 2 diabetes. This technology can be a powerful tool for more informed healthcare decisions and personalized patient care.”
What are some common misconceptions about heart disease and cardiovascular risk?
One common misconception is that only older people are at risk. In reality, clinical studies have shown that heart disease starts when you are young. Waiting until you are older to understand your risk of CVD and diabetes will increase your odds of having to live with the debilitating effects of these chronic illnesses. Managing your CVD risk early can help you live a longer life with a healthy heart.
“One way you can manage your CVD risk at a younger age is to know your lipid panel and inflammation results and follow them over time,” says Dr. Connelly. “If you are at increased CVD risk based on these results, lifestyle changes (e.g., eating a Mediterranean diet, increasing your exercise) can help reduce your CVD risk markers. If these lifestyle changes are not successful at improving your CVD risk markers, you may want to consult your physician for additional suggestions that may be specific for you and your lifestyle.”
Are there any additional screenings or tests people should consider for monitoring their heart health?
An additional test that you should consider for monitoring heart health and CVD risk is the Lp(a) test. A high Lipoprotein (a) or Lp(a) level can lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) as well as a higher likelihood of thrombosis (blood clotting). This can lead to heart attack, stroke or other blood vessel and heart valve diseases.
If you are a woman and you are interested in knowing where you are in your menopause journey, Labcorp OnDemand’s Menopause Test may also be something to consider.
How significant is early detection in the management and treatment of CVD?
Detecting risk of CVD early and making lifestyle changes can go a long way toward preventing progression to later-stage disease.
With Labcorp OnDemand’s Complete Heart Health Test, you can measure key indicators of cardiovascular health and take proactive steps toward early detection and prevention.
Once you have your results, you may want to consult a physician to help decide on the best course of action for you to reduce your risk of CVD and diabetes. Together, you and your provider can set heart-healthy goals for your lifestyle and even track your progress by testing over time.
