Heart-related blood test for people over 50 to ask about in January.

A cardiologist says the ApoB blood test, which is ordered separately from a standard lipid panel, can give a clearer picture of heart disease risk for people 50 and older; ApoB above 130 mg/dL is reported as higher than optimal.

Many routine health checks can be hard to schedule, and the article suggests using January to plan important appointments. A cardiologist interviewed for the article highlights one specific heart-related blood test—ApoB—that is not included in the standard cholesterol panel but can provide additional information about cardiovascular risk. The piece summarizes when traditional cholesterol tests are typically done by age and explains how ApoB results are interpreted. Key facts: - The ApoB test measures apolipoprotein B and is not part of the usual lipid panel; it must be ordered separately, according to Dr. Alex A. Gyftopoulos. - ApoB is associated with cholesterol particles linked to plaque in arteries and can give a more detailed assessment of heart disease and stroke risk. - Recommended timing for standard cholesterol tests cited in the article is every 1–2 years for ages 45–65 (depending on risk) and yearly for those 65 and older. No formal interval for ApoB testing is stated; the article suggests every couple of years can be informative for some people. - ApoB test results are reported in mg/dL, with a reported range of about 20 to 400 mg/dL and values above 130 mg/dL described as higher than optimal. - The article notes that higher ApoB levels can lead clinicians and patients to review diet, exercise, tobacco use, family history, and to consider cholesterol-lowering medication as part of care discussions. Summary: The article reports that adding an ApoB test to cholesterol evaluation can identify cardiovascular risk not always seen on a standard lipid panel, particularly for people aged 50 and older. Reported next steps after results include clinical review of lifestyle factors and consideration of medication where appropriate; specific follow-up is determined by individual evaluation.