Beyond LDL: AIIMS Doctor Reveals 2 Hidden Markers for Heart Attack Risk

• AIIMS-trained Dr Priyanka Sehrawat highlights two under-recognized markers, Apo B and Lp(a), for more accurate heart attack prediction beyond just LDL cholesterol.
• Apolipoprotein B (Apo B) indicates the number of harmful cholesterol-carrying particles (like LDL, VLDL) that can form plaque in arteries, even with normal LDL levels.
• Apo B levels >90 mg/dL signal higher heart disease risk; >130 mg/dL indicates a high chance of heart attack, according to American Heart Association.
• Serum Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], similar to LDL but with an extra protein, is genetically determined and can cause plaque, inflammation, and blood clots.
• Lp(a) levels >50 mg/dL are linked to higher heart disease risk (US National Library of Medicine); both markers require specific blood tests.

Why It Matters: Apo B and Lp(a) offer crucial insights into heart attack risk beyond traditional LDL cholesterol.