Cardiovascular

ApoB

Apolipoprotein B. Measured in clinic at The Wellness in Marylebone, read by a doctor.

What It Is

Apolipoprotein B is a protein found on the surface of the lipoprotein particles that carry cholesterol through the blood, including LDL. Each of these particles carries one ApoB molecule, so the test reflects the number of potentially artery-affecting particles in circulation rather than the amount of cholesterol they hold.

Why It Matters

Many clinicians consider particle number a useful way to look at cardiovascular risk, because it is the particles themselves that can enter and remain in artery walls. ApoB can add context to a standard cholesterol panel, and the two do not always tell the same story.

What Results Can Suggest

A higher ApoB level can be associated with a greater lifetime exposure of the arteries to cholesterol-carrying particles, which is linked to atherosclerosis. A lower level is generally seen as favourable in this respect. What a result means for you depends on your wider profile and history, so discuss it with a doctor.

This page is general information, not medical advice and not a substitute for a consultation. Reference ranges vary between laboratories, and results should always be interpreted by a doctor who knows your history.