Ascendant Medical Laboratory

Elevated cholesterol levels increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States. To raise awareness for regular health screenings, September is recognized as National Cholesterol Education Month.

Cholesterol, which is made up of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), should be routinely tested to detect potential risk for cardiovascular disease. Too much LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol can circulate in the blood, collecting in the inner walls of the arteries that pump to the heart and brain. If high LDL is left untreated, atherosclerosis, narrowing of arteries due to plaque build-up, can occur and may result in coronary heart disease which leads to heart attack.

HDL, or “good” cholesterol, carries cholesterol in the blood from other parts of the body back to the liver which leads to its removal. It helps keep cholesterol from building up on the walls of the arteries. The liver and other cells make up 75 percent of the body’s cholesterol, while the other 25 percent come from food.

To detect elevated cholesterol levels, Ascendant Medical Laboratory offers complete lipid panels to physicians and their patients, which includes a total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglyceride levels.

“Regular screening of cholesterol is important to maintain heart health. If elevated levels are detected, the patient can make lifestyle changes to help decrease high cholesterol before damaging the heart. These changes include diet modification and regular exercise. In some cases, medication to lower the cholesterol level is also needed.” said Stephanie Dolsen, administrative director of Ascendant Medical Laboratory.

The American Heart Association recommends screening every five years for everyone age 20 years or older. Overall risk factors, including diabetes, obesity, family history and high blood pressure, should be taken into account and require more frequent screening. The National Cholesterol Education Program also suggests everyone over 65 receive regular screenings.

Other cholesterol-related tests offered by Ascendant Medical Laboratory include HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, Cholesterol/HDL ratio and LDL/HDL ratio.

For more information about tests and services at Ascendant Medical Laboratory, contact client services at 800-615-0675.

Ascendant Medical Laboratory, a subsidiary of Molecular Pathology Laboratory Network, Inc. (MPLN), is licensed and accredited by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), Center for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS) and the state of Tennessee.

MPLN is a privately held molecular diagnostic laboratory founded in 1989 and headquartered in Maryville, Tenn. A leader in laboratory medicine, MPLN offers a comprehensive selection of molecular diagnostics and cytogenetic testing that targets oncology, obstetrics, gynecology, medical genetics, gastroenterology and infectious disease. The laboratory also has an active research and development and clinical trials program and has extensive expertise in chromosome analysis, flow cytometry, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), real-time and quantitative polymerase chain reaction technologies, immunohistochemistry and gene sequencing.

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