Learning Center If you are considering asking your doctor for the NMR LipoProfile test—The Particle Test—you will find a variety of resources on this page. These resources will help to determine if the NMR LipoProfile test—The Particle Test—is right for you.

What is atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis refers to the buildup of cholesterol in and on your artery walls (plaques), which can restrict blood flow. These plaques can burst, causing a blood clot which can cause a heart attack or stroke. Although atherosclerosis is often considered a heart problem, it can affect arteries anywhere in your body. Atherosclerosis is a preventable and treatable condition.

What is ‘hardening of the arteries’ or Plaque?

Plaque is when cholesterol builds up in the arteries. It is a progressive disease called atherosclerosis sometimes referred to as hardening of the arteries. Plaque build-up happens when LDL particles enter your arteries and deposit cholesterol. The more LDL particles you have the greater the likelihood for plaque to build up – atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries to occur. Plaque build up can start in early adulthood and if left untreated can get worse over time.

What are LDL particles?

LDL particles are the containers that transport cholesterol through your blood stream. The higher the number of LDL particles (LDL-P), the more likely they are to break through the wall of the arteries and form the plaque that is called ‘atherosclerosis’ or hardening of the arteries. If you have a high LDL particle number (LDL-P), your doctor may recommend changes to your diet, exercise and LDL particle-lowering medications. Knowing your LDL particle number (LDL-P) along with your other cholesterol numbers gives you and your doctor the information that you need to manage and maintain your heart health.

What is The Particle Test?

The NMR LipoProfile test—The Particle Test—is more than a cholesterol test. It measures the number of LDL particles (LDL-P) in your blood. Having a high number of LDL particles is bad because they carry and deposit cholesterol into the wall of your arteries to form plaque — ‘atherosclerosis’ (also sometimes called ‘athero’ or ‘hardening of the arteries’).

What is the NMR LipoProfile Test?

The NMR LipoProfile test—The Particle Test—is more than a cholesterol test. It measures the number of LDL particles in your blood. Having a high number of LDL particles is bad because they carry and deposit cholesterol into the wall of your arteries to form plaque — ‘atherosclerosis’ (also sometimes called ‘athero’ or ‘hardening of the arteries’).

What is LDL-P?

LDL-P is the number of LDL particles. LDL particles are the containers that transport LDL cholesterol—the ‘bad’ cholesterol—through your blood stream. The higher the number of LDL particles, the more likely they are to break through to the wall of the arteries and form the plaque that is called ‘atherosclerosis’. If you have a high LDL particle number (LDL-P), your doctor may recommend changes to your diet, exercise and LDL particle-lowering medications. Knowing your LDL particle number (LDL-P) along with your other cholesterol numbers gives you and your doctor the information that you need to manage and maintain your heart health.

What Can You Do to Lower Your Particle Number?

For some patients diet and exercise may be very effective at lowering your LDL particle number (LDL-P). Talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes that can keep you heart healthy. There are many treatment options to lower your LDL particle number. Some patients may use diet and exercise or need to take prescription medicine such as statins to help lower their LDL-P. Work with your doctor to find out what treatment plan is best for you. Be sure to make an appointment for follow-up particle tests to assess your progress and manage your heart health.

Why do LDL Particles Cause Plaque?

LDL particles carry and deposit cholesterol into your arteries that become plaque — ‘atherosclerosis’ or ‘hardening of the arteries’. Without the ‘particles’ — the containers that carry cholesterol—there would be no way for the cholesterol to enter the artery wall and cause plaque build-up.
LDL is linked to heart disease. It is important to know that having a high number of LDL particles (LDL-P) is bad. They carry and deposit cholesterol into your arteries that become plaque — ‘atherosclerosis’ or ‘hardening of the arteries’.

LDL Particles Cause Plaque¹

Plaque Progression: More LDL Particles = More Plaque

The higher the number of LDL particles, the greater the likelihood for them to enter the arterial wall and deposit their contents forming atherosclerotic plaque. Measurement of LDL-C on traditional lipid panels does not reflect LDL particle number.

Click HERE to download a PDF of LDL Particles Cause Plaque.

What is NMR?

NMR is a type of technology that is used to precisely analyze components in blood. With the NMR LipoProfile test—The Particle Test—you can get a direct measure of the number of LDL particles (LDL-P) that are circulating in your blood, along with your standard cholesterol test, to get all the information you deserve to proactively manage your heart health.