Dear Reader,

Jane* sat across from me, her hands clenched in her lap. It was the first time we were meeting and she had recently experienced a heart attack.

Her voice was shaky as she spoke. “I don’t understand. I’ve always taken care of myself. I eat healthy, I exercise, I don't smoke, and my cholesterol is normal. So how could this happen?”

I let her words settle in the room for a moment before responding.

“Jane, I hear this story all the time. And you’re right—it doesn’t make sense if you’re only looking at traditional cholesterol numbers. But the truth is, 50% of people who have a heart attack have ‘normal’ cholesterol.’ The standard tests don’t always tell the full story.”

She frowned. “But I’ve done everything right. What did we miss?”

What Jane’s Didn’t Know

I pulled up her lab work from her last physical.

Her LDL cholesterol was within the normal range. Her total cholesterol was fine. But these numbers only scratched the surface.

I turned to her. “Jane, has anyone ever tested your ApoB or Lipoprotein(a)?”

She shook her head. “I don’t even know what those are.”

I leaned forward. “That’s the problem. Most healthcare professionals don’t check them and most patients don't know to ask for them. But these tests are game-changers.”

Why These Tests Matter

✔️ ApoB measures dangerous cholesterol-carrying particles—far more predictive than LDL alone.
✔️ Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is a genetic risk factor—it's not something you control through lifestyle.
✔️ Insulin resistance is a silent driver of heart disease—and most people don’t even know they have it.

Jane’s eyebrows furrowed. “So if these tests are so important, why didn’t my doctor order them?”

Understanding Why These Tests Aren’t Routine

I sighed. “Jane, here’s the challenge. When it comes to medical screening, insurance typically covers what the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and other leading healthcare organizations formally recommend. These recommendations take time to evolve, even when new research emerges.”

I continued, “ApoB and Lp(a) have strong evidence supporting their value in assessing heart disease risk, but they aren’t yet included in standard screening guidelines. That doesn’t mean they aren’t useful—it just means that most doctors aren’t trained to order them in routine screening.

Jane exhaled sharply. “So, because it’s not officially recommended yet, I never even knew it was an option?”

I nodded. “Exactly. These guidelines are meant to ensure widespread, evidence-based care, but by the time new tests become standard, it can take years—even decades. Many of us in preventative and longevity medicine choose to incorporate these tests earlier because we believe in acting on the best available science, not waiting until it’s too late.”

➡️ Pause for a moment and think about that. How many people are walking around today, thinking they’re safe… when they’re not?

The Hidden Factor No One Checked

Then I pulled up another set of numbers—ones she had never paid much attention to before.

Her fasting glucose levels had been creeping up for years.

I pointed to the numbers. “See this? Your glucose has been inching up for a long time. That’s likely a sign of insulin resistance—a major driver of heart disease that starts long before blood sugar becomes a problem.”

She blinked. “But I don't have diabetes."

I nodded. “That’s because your body is compensating—and it will, until it can't anymore.”

Jane exhaled, rubbing her temples. “So what now? What does this mean? Is there anything I can do?”

I smiled at her. “Jane, the good news is that now we know. And YES, now we can do something about it.”

A Different Approach: The ‘Cardio-Metabolically Fit’ Lifestyle

At Vitality Medical & Wellness Consulting, we don’t wait for people to have a heart attack before we take action.

✔️ We test for ApoB, Lp(a), and insulin resistance—because these markers predict heart disease far better than standard panels.
✔️ We assess metabolic health—because blood sugar, inflammation, and visceral fat are just as important as cholesterol.
✔️ We personalize prevention—because no two people have the same heart disease risk.

Jane sat quietly for a moment before looking at me. “I just wish someone had told me all this sooner.”

I reached for her hand. “You know now. And that means we can get ahead of this.”

Could This Be You?

Jane’s story isn’t unique. Most people don’t find out they’re at risk until it’s too late.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re truly protected from heart disease, don’t wait for a wake-up call.

At Vitality Medical & Wellness Consulting, we look deeper—beyond standard tests—so you never have to ask, “Why did this happen to me?”

✅ Want to know your real heart disease risk? Click below to schedule your Metabolic & Heart Health Consultation​

Because waiting for a heart attack shouldn’t be the way we diagnose heart disease.

Warmly,
​

Dr. Loden

*Patient name has been changed for privacy.

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