The VAP® Cholesterol Test recently gained the honor of being a component in one of nine steps to a longer life. TRANSCEND: Nine Steps to Living Well Forever (Rodale, 2009) by anti-aging authority Terry Grossman , MD, and futurist Ray Kurzweil , identifies the VAP advanced lipid profile as one of the future technologies in cardiovascular risk assessment.

Grossman, the book’s co-author and medical director of The Grossman Wellness Center inGolden, Colo, describes how America’s greatest health threat is lack of early detection and lack of testing. Grossman, who uses the VAP Test at hisDenver-area practice, said he believes that virtually all disease is discoverable and, with an aggressive approach, treatable.

The VAP (Vertical Auto Profile) Test is manufactured by Atherotech, Inc., a cardio-diagnostic company based inBirmingham, Ala. Company President Mike Mullen said inclusion of the VAP Test in the book furthers the validity of the test and its ability to identify cardiovascular risks far better than the standard cholesterol test.

"By highlighting the VAP Test in this powerful book on health and longevity, the authors recognize the unique cardiovascular assessment that our test provides to proactive, preventive-minded physicians and their patients," Mullen said.

TRANSCEND is described as a practical, easy-to-understand application of the breakthrough scientific findings on life extension. Under the heading of "How To Keep Your Heart Beating" in the chapter entitled "Blood Tests For Early Detection Of Cardiovascular Disease," the authors state:

          "When a standard panel is run, the total cholesterol, HDL and          triglycerides are measured, while the LDL is calculated from the          other results. In the VAP test, LDL is measured directly, providing          much more accurate information than a calculated value.           VAP also measures lipoprotein(a), IDL, and VDL, risk factors found to          be more important than total cholesterol and LDL. Finally, VAP          fractionates or splits HDL, the beneficial form of cholesterol, into          HDL-2 and HDL-3 subunits. HDL-2 is much more protective than HDL-3.          Low HDL-2 is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease."

The TRANSCEND authors urge people to take advantage of the accelerating developments in biotechnology and offer everything from updates on relevant research to tips on talking to your doctor about cutting-edge testing.

The VAP Test reports 20 separate components of blood cholesterol as opposed to four in a standard cholesterol test. The test can identify a far greater number of lipid abnormalities — the No. 1 risk factor for heart disease — than the standard cholesterol test and now reports apoAI and the apoB/apoAI ratio at no added cost.

People with a family history or an existing condition of diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease — or who are already taking cholesterol-lowering medication — are candidates for the comprehensive VAP Test. In addition, those who don’t score within the desirable ranges of the standard cholesterol test (i.e. those with triglycerides > 150, HDL < 40, LDL >130, total cholesterol > 200) should also opt for the more detailed VAP Test.

The VAP Test is available nationwide and covered by most insurance providers, including Medicare and Medicaid. For more information call (877) 901-8510 or visit www.thevaptest.com.

Source: Atherotech Inc