Cardiovascular Health Guides from our GPs

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of premature death in the UK. Many of the most important risk markers are rarely included in a standard NHS health check.

In our consultations, heart health is one of the topics patients ask about most. Not always because they have symptoms, but because they have reached an age or a moment where they want to know their actual risk, not just a reassuring approximation of it. These guides cover the markers we consider essential: ApoB, Lipoprotein(a), blood pressure, inflammation, and coronary calcium scoring. What they mean, why they matter, and what you can realistically do about them.

Dr Lucy Hooper, GP, Coyne Medical, Fulham, London

Our Approach

We think cardiovascular risk is routinely underestimated by standard cholesterol testing alone. A normal LDL result is reassuring, but it does not tell the whole story. That is why we test for ApoB, Lipoprotein(a), and, where appropriate, coronary calcium score as part of a complete cardiovascular assessment. These are not fringe markers. ApoB is now recommended by European cardiovascular guidelines. Lipoprotein(a) is genetically determined, present in around 1 in 5 people at elevated levels, and almost never tested on the NHS. Coronary calcium scoring can identify plaque build-up before symptoms appear. We have been doing this kind of testing since 2022, and in that time we have helped hundreds of patients uncover hidden cardiovascular risk they had no idea they were carrying, and given them the clarity to act on it. Lipoprotein(a), ApoB, and coronary calcium scoring are all available as part of our Health Screening, or can be discussed in a GP consultation.