There are several tests that can measure heart risk factors that are not included in standard treatment. Finding out if you can benefit from them starts by assessing your family’s heart health.

You can do that using free online tools. For example, Wexner Medical Center in Ohio has a family health risk calculator that measures genetic risk. Just enter your information and we’ll show you suggestions, such as talking to a doctor or genetic counselor. Depending on the results, there are several tests that experts will suggest.

One is a blood test that looks for high levels of lipoprotein (a), a type of bad cholesterol that increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. It’s mostly genetic, but it can also affect people with a personal history of heart disease.

“So this is a kind of special type of bad cholesterol that is actually determined more by genetics than by lifestyle, and also by statin therapy, which is the most widely used drug known to lower bad cholesterol.” “It will not be fixed,” he said. Wesley Milks, a cardiologist at Wexner Medical Center in Ohio.

There is only one FDA-approved treatment to lower Lp(a). It is similar to dialysis in that a machine removes cholesterol from the blood. Clinical trials are underway to test a less complicated method.

Another test that doctors recommend for people with inherited risk factors for heart disease is a coronary artery calcium scan, which is a CT scan of the heart. This helps detect calcium levels and detect coronary artery disease in its early stages. This test is primarily aimed at people over 40 years old. Until then, coronary artery calcification is uncommon.

“So I think we should start at age 40, and especially over 50. If people have a family history, or maybe doctors use those standard risk factors to increase the “If you try to estimate the annual risk,” Dr. Milks said.

If your doctor calculates your 10-year risk to be between 7.5% and 20%, a coronary calcium scan may be beneficial.

It is important to note that both tests mentioned in this article are typically not covered by insurance. But they can save lives.

In our search, we found that the Lp(a) test costs between $40 and $600. Coronary artery calcium scans cost between $100 and $400.