Detect heart-attack risk early with 1 key blood test

Post by : Saif Nasser

Heart attacks are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Often, they strike without warning, even in people who appear healthy. Longevity expert Dr Vassily Eliopoulos, MD, co-founder and chief medical officer of Longevity, has highlighted a blood test that can detect hidden heart-attack risk long before any symptoms appear.

In a May 2025 Instagram video, Dr Vassily explained that routine cholesterol checks, which focus mostly on LDL levels, may miss a dangerous inherited particle that causes heart attacks. “Half of all heart attack victims have normal LDL,” he said. “Meanwhile, this sticky particle is quietly building dangerous plaque in their arteries, and most traditional tests do not catch it.”

Dr Vassily described the particle as highly damaging to the arteries. It sticks to arterial walls, oxidizes quickly, and triggers soft plaque that can rupture, leading to deadly heart attacks. He stressed that 1 in 5 people carries this particle, which standard screenings like cholesterol tests or treadmill stress tests may not detect. “You could be exercising regularly and still be days away from disaster,” he warned.

The good news is that detecting this particle is simple. Dr Vassily recommends an apolipoprotein panel, a blood test that measures plaque-forming particles in the blood. The most important marker in this test is Apolipoprotein B (ApoB). ApoB provides a clear measure of atherogenic particles, which are more accurate indicators of heart risk than LDL alone. He added, “A single blood draw can give you decades of warning and a clear plan to live heart-attack-proof. Early detection allows doctors to reduce arterial inflammation and prevent dangerous plaque from causing serious damage.”

Relying only on traditional cholesterol tests may leave dangerous blind spots. Including an ApoB test in routine check-ups can help identify hidden cardiovascular risks and allow people to take preventive measures before a heart attack occurs. Dr Vassily’s advice is particularly valuable for those with a family history of heart disease or other risk factors.

Heart attacks can be sudden and life-threatening. A simple blood test for ApoB can reveal hidden risks and provide time to act. By detecting the dangerous particle early, individuals can work with doctors to protect their heart and reduce the chance of a deadly event.