Every seven minutes someone in Canada dies of heart disease or a stroke, making cardiovascular disease (CVD) one of the leading causes of death in the country.
According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, approximately 1.6 million Canadians are currently living with the disease, and nine out of ten Canadians have at least one risk factor. High blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and physical inactivity are among the factors that put people at a higher risk of developing CVD. Hypertension caused by high blood pressure can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.
While some risk factors such as age, sex, and genetic predispositions cannot be controlled, there are multiple things people can do to reduce their risk of developing CVD – starting with living a healthy lifestyle. Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats, engaging in regular physical activity such as walking, jogging, or cycling for at least 30 minutes a day, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight and keeping body mass index (BMI) within a normal range are some of the most impactful lifestyle changes one can make to improve heart health.
However, there’s more to assessing cardiovascular health and risk factors than just these basic lifestyle changes. Testing Apolipoprotein B (APO B) is a valuable tool for predicting health outcomes and could be one of the best ways to assess cardiovascular health and risk factors.
Our medical team may consider it as part of your baseline testing. Testing for APO B gives you an idea of the number of particles in your bloodstream that can cause blockages in the arteries and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. Having high levels of APO B means more small dense LDL in your body, presenting higher risks for cardiovascular diseases.
On the contrary, low levels mean fewer chances of developing any kind of heart issue.
Testing APO B can help identify potential risk factors that should be monitored more closely by a healthcare provider or specialist, give patients an idea about their risk for diabetes and metabolic syndromes, provide information about possible dietary changes or lifestyle modifications needed to reduce levels and reduce risks, assist healthcare providers in determining other tests that might be needed to make sure no further issues like kidney function or liver mineral content are present, and serve as an indicator of how well current medications are working when treating cholesterol-related conditions such as hyperlipidemia or dyslipidemia.
It might be a good idea to get APO B tested at least once a year – especially for those who have underlying conditions such as diabetes, obesity, or hypertension – so they know if they need to adjust their lifestyles or medications accordingly to keep risks at bay and maintain optimal health over time.
Our medical director, Dr. Jonathan Bastian, recommends a range of APO B at 0.6 g/L or lower (the standard range is 1.19).
In summary, CVD can be prevented through simple lifestyle changes. This includes abstaining from smoking, maintaining a healthy blood pressure level below 120/80, and prioritizing factors such as body weight, exercise, and sleep. In cases where lifestyle changes are insufficient, medication may be necessary. However, failing to keep APO B levels low can result in increased health risks and financial costs. By taking steps to lower APO B levels, individuals can effectively reduce their risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
At Aeon Future Health, our team of medical doctors, naturopathic doctors, health coaches, and more will help you properly identify key areas to improve and provide a sustainable plan to do so. We are committed to helping our clients achieve optimal health and reduce their risk of developing CVD. Get in touch with us today to start your health journey.
