American Retired Seniors

A new test is now on the market to help avoid coronary heart disease from plaque.  Known as the PLAC^® Test for Lp-PLA₂ it is the only blood test that helps Boomers, Seniors and others to identify hidden risk factors for heart attack risk and stroke. Early detection and more aggressive treatment can help prevent heart attack and stroke.

Heart attacks are the leading cause of death in the United States. Approximately every 29 seconds one American will have a heart attack and once a minute one American will die from a heart attack. More than 1.5 million Americans suffer a heart attack every year, and almost half a million die, according to the American Heart Association.Coronary artery disease occurs when fatty deposits called plaque (say “plak”) build up inside the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries wrap around the heart and supply it with blood and oxygen. When plaque builds up, it narrows the arteries and reduces the amount of blood that gets to your heart. This can lead to serious problems, including heart attack.

Coronary artery disease (also called CAD) is the most common type of heart disease. It is also the number one killer of both men and women in the United States. A heart attack occurs when one or more of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart are completely blocked and blood to the heart muscle is cut off. The blockage is usually caused by atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in the artery walls, and/or by a blood clot in a coronary artery.

A stroke occurs when blood flow is interrupted to part of the brain. Without blood to supply oxygen and nutrients and to remove waste products, brain cells quickly begin to die. Blockage of an artery by the narrowing of the small arteries within the brain or hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) leading to the brain.  If these arteries become narrow as a result of atherosclerosis, plaque or cholesterol, debris can break off and float downstream, clogging the blood supply to a part of the brain.

The PLAC Test helps identify patients who have “hidden” cardiovascular risk due to the formation of rupture-prone plaque.  1/2 of all heart attacks occur in patients with low to moderate cholesterol levels.   While cholesterol is a useful tool in coronary heart disease, it is not a reliable predictor of stroke. 1/3 of all strokes affect individuals between 45 and 65 years of age.

WHAT IS THE PLAC TEST?

The PLAC Test is a blood test that measures the level of Lp-PLA2, an enzyme associated with the inflammation of your arteries. Increased levels of Lp-PLA2 increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.  The PLAC Test may be used as a management tool in patients at intermediate to high risk for coronary heart disease or ischemic stroke events. Suitable patients may include patients with two or more risk factors, such as family history of cardiovascular disease or hypertension, even if their overall lipid profile looks normal.

The PLAC Test is frequently used in borderline or high risk patients in conjunction with a standard or advanced lipid panel, but can also be ordered separately. It is not recommended for screening low risk patients.  Medicare reimburses for the PLAC Test when medically necessary.  Many health plans will reimburse for the PLAC Test.  However, even with FDA clearance, Medicare reimbursement and over 60 peer-reviewed publications, some insurance companies may deny payment because the test is fairly new.

A simple blood test can aid Seniors and Boomers in predicting which patients are at greater risk for heart a tack or stroke?

Talk to your doctor about the PLAC Test as another tool in helping to keep Boomers and Seniors healthy or visit www.plactest.com.

See related articles:  KFDF3 News; Forbes.com; The Saturday Evening Post

Filed under: Senior Health Care