A cholesterol test that really saves lives
I've long advocated for getting an apoB blood test to keep tabs on your heart health. That's because it measures the actual number of cholesterol-carrying particles in your blood that can contribute to plaque buildup -- giving you a much clearer picture of how great your risk for heart attack or stroke is. And that allows your doctor to step up your treatment with a stronger statin and then with ezetimibe or other medications, if needed. And it allows you to improve your lifestyle habits, so you can aggressively counter those risks.
The benefits have now been confirmed by a study in JAMA that looked at data on 250,000 folks. Researchers saw that the combination of apoB testing and stepped-up intervention improved overall health outcomes and prevented more cardiovascular events and deaths than simply basing treatment decisions on standard blood tests measuring LDL and HD cholesterol.
So when you have your annual checkup -- you do have one, don't you? -- ask your doctor to do an apoB blood test along with checking your LDL, HDL, blood pressure, heart rate, blood sugar, and weight. (Also get a prostate check or breast exam, and liver and thyroid function tests.)
To achieve a heart-friendly apoB level (it should be below 70 mg/dl in my opinion), eat a healthy plant-based diet with skinless chicken breast and fatty fish, like salmon; get 300 minutes of physical activity weekly; manage stress; get quality sleep; and have a supportive posse and sense of purpose. "YOU: The Owner's Manual, revised" and MyWellSteps.ai can help.
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at drmikerealage@gmail.com.
(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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