| Inflammation is not just something that affects the | | | | The Lp-PLA2 is an inflammatory marker. This marker |
| joints and connective tissues of the body. Recent | | | | works to give the attending physician insider |
| studies have linked inflammation of the arteries to | | | | information on what is happening in the heart. |
| heart attack and stroke. While there are four major | | | | According to trial completed by the Mayo Clinic, 95% |
| risk factors that may contribute to an increased risk | | | | of the people who were given the Lp-PLA2 test who |
| of heart related illness or event, as many as 50% of | | | | scored below 200 did NOT have a heart attack or |
| all cases do not present with these classic markers. | | | | stroke in the following four years. These patients all |
| In these cases, doctors are linking inflammation of | | | | had coronary artery disease. The potential for ruling |
| the arteries to the, sometimes, fatal effects of heart | | | | out heart related risk in all patients is generally the |
| attack and stroke. | | | | same. |
| Inflammation of the arteries can be measured using | | | | In addition to testing for Lp-PLA2, other inflammatory |
| inflammatory markers. The PLAC test is the only | | | | markers are also being tested for in relation to |
| testing procedure currently approved by the Food | | | | inflammation in the body. CRP, C-reactive protein) |
| and Drug Administration in the United States. The | | | | and alpha-lipoprotein may test higher in patients who |
| test was originally used to test for risk of heart | | | | are more likely to suffer from joint and connective |
| attack and stroke in patients who fell into the high | | | | tissue inflammation. Small amounts of CRP are |
| risk category for heart problems as defined by | | | | common, but larger amounts could mean the body is |
| certain common tests and questionnaires. Today, the | | | | inflamed and in need of repair to reduce pain. Injury |
| PLAC test is proving to aid the medical community in | | | | to a specific area or an infection can also cause an |
| much more than testing patients with noticeable | | | | increase in CRP. When CRP levels test high for a long |
| higher risk. | | | | period of time, doctors may see this as an indicator |
| When plaque gathers in the arteries, these arteries | | | | of potential systemic inflammation. |
| tend to become inflamed. Once inflammation occurs, | | | | Many doctors choose to stay away from alternative |
| Lp-PLA2 (Lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2) is | | | | inflammatory marker testing because they have little |
| released into the blood stream. The PLAC test | | | | training in natural medicine. Alternative therapists tend |
| measures the amount of Lp-PLA2 in the blood. In | | | | to treat high inflammatory marker results with dietary |
| patients without the common warning signs, if | | | | changes and changes in daily activity levels. |
| inflammation is occurring in the arteries for some | | | | Inflammatory marker levels are retested periodically |
| other reason, the Lp-PLA2 test will still measure | | | | to record if the changes have affected the protein |
| higher protein levels. | | | | levels. |