The affordable VAP Test provides direct, detailed measurements of cholesterol subclasses that play important roles in the development of heart disease–the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. The comprehensive information provided by the VAP Test allows for improved diagnosis and gives physicians the ability to develop patient-specific therapy, monitor treatment progress, and increase patient compliance. The VAP Test also allows physicians to comply with updated National Cholesterol Education Program. The National Cholesterol Education Program is a program managed by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, a division of the National Institutes of Health. Its goal is to reduce increased cardiovascular disease rates due to hypercholesterolemia (elevated cholesterol).

Roseanne Varner, Atherotech’s president and chief executive officer, said the collaboration with HealthCheckUSA and the availability of the VAP Test through the Web site are important steps in Atherotech’s expansion into the direct access testing market. “We are pleased to partner with HealthCheckUSA and provide the VAP Test to people concerned about their cardiovascular health,” Varner said. “HealthcheckUSA’s focus on providing direct-to-consumer tests and services such as the VAP Test is to be commended. People are showing a growing need to take charge of their health, especially their heart health, and the detailed cholesterol information provided by the VAP Test will let them do just that.”

According to according to Holt Vaughan, Director for HealthcheckUSA, the company is delighted to be one of the first to offer the VAP Test directly to consumers. “We have been educated extensively about the VAP Test and the valuable information it provides about heart disease risk in people who may have a false sense of security about their cholesterol levels,” Vaughan said. “We believe that the VAP Test will revolutionize the way consumers monitor their cholesterol in the future.”

To request a VAP Test without a physician referral physician referral consumers can go to www.healthcheckusa.com Web site and select a lab location closest to them. HealthcheckUSA then forwards the customer the appropriate paperwork, which they can take to the lab without an appointment. The simple blood test can be completed in 10 minutes. Professionals screen all test results, and patients are urged to consult a physician if abnormalities appear. Results and explanations are mailed to HealthcheckUSA customers within 10-14 working days. Information about the VAP Test also is available at HealthcheckUSA’s main Web site at www.healthcheckusa.com.

About HealthcheckUSA.com

---

HealthCheckUSA is the nation’s leader in low cost, direct-to-consumer blood and lab testing and provides people the ability to access all types of blood tests without a physician’s referral and at half the price.

Atherotech, a leading specialty reference laboratory based in Birmingham, is dedicated to improving the early diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases that kill nearly 1 million Americans each year. Its VAP Cholesterol Test was named one of “five tests worth paying for” by the Wall Street Journal. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.thevaptest.com or www.healthcheckusa.com.

 

 

 

Does daily aspirin therapy work for everyone, and is it the right thing for you?

First of all, as always, you should arm yourself with information. You should know the benefits of daily aspirin therapy, as well as the risks of daily aspirin therapy.

What is daily aspirin therapy?

Daily aspirin therapy is a method of lowering the risk of heart attack and clot related strokes. It works just like it sounds, the patient takes one aspirin on a daily basis. Daily aspirin therapy works by interfering with your blood’s clotting ability. But there are serious side effects you should be aware of.

Side effects of daily aspirin therapy

• The possibility of a hemorrhagic stroke may be increased by daily aspirin therapy. While daily aspirin therapy may decrease your chances of a clot-related stroke, it could increase your risk of a hemorrhagic stroke.
• Gastrointestinal bleeding may be caused by daily aspirin therapy. This bleeding may be caused because the aspirin causes or irritates an already bleeding stomach ulcer.
• Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears may be caused by daily aspirin therapy and could eventually lead to hearing loss.

Will daily aspirin therapy work for you?

Surprisingly, medical studies have shown that daily aspirin therapy does not work for everyone.  Aspirin does not have the same effect on everyone; some people may not benefit from daily aspirin therapy. Fortunately, there is now a test you can take to find out if daily aspirin therapy will work for you.

The AspirinWorks Test can determine if aspirin is working to suppress the production of thromboxane, the chemical that causes the platelets to become sticky, indicating whether aspirin helping you or not.

Order the AspirinWorks Test 

HealthCheckUSA offers the AspirinWorks test directly to consumers. To order a test without a physician referral,  simply order the AspirinWorks test from HealthCheckUSA.com or call us toll free at 1 (800) 929-2044. We will send you the appropriate paperwork, which you simply take to the HealthCheckUSA affiliated lab of your choice without an appointment. A urine sample is collected and tested. Your confidential results are available on our Web site within days.

Before deciding if daily aspirin therapy is right for you, you should consult with a doctor. He or she will consider things such as your medical and family history, other medicines you are taking, etc. Even though aspirin is easily available, check with your doctor before starting daily aspirin therapy.