Why get a PLAC test?

Why should I get the PLAC® Test? 

The PLAC® Test can help assess your risk for heart disease or stroke. 

When LDL cholesterol (the carrier of “bad” cholesterol) gets into your artery wall, the body tries to get rid of it by making Lp-PLA2. Unfortunately, the actions of Lp-PLA2 contribute to increased inflammation and increased cholesterol accumulation in the artery wall, forming what is called plaque. Inflammation can also make the cap covering the plaque thinner, which makes it more likely to rupture. The body responds to the rupture by forming a blood clot, which can block the flow of blood. If the blood flowing to the heart is blocked, it may cause a heart attack, while blocked blood flow to the brain may cause a stroke. 

In short, the PLAC® Test can help your medical provider better understand the health of your arteries and determine if you are actively growing plaque that is at risk for rupturing and developing a heart attack or stroke. 

Traditionally, the risk of having a stroke is associated with many factors including high blood pressure. Although high blood pressure is known to increase stroke risk, having high blood pressure and a high PLAC® Test result can put you at a much higher risk for stroke. But, it’s important to remember that even if your blood pressure is controlled, a high PLAC® Test result alone still puts you at risk for a stroke. 

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