PLAC Test to Get Tested on Defensive Line for Heart
Attack, Stroke of NFL Retirees
Only FDA and Medicare approved test for heart
disease, ischemic stroke to identify those at elevated risk for heart
attack or stroke
The PLAC Test is the only blood
test cleared by the FDA to aid in assessing risk both coronary
artery disease and ischemic stroke. The test measures levels of
Lp-PLA2, a cardiovascular-specific inflammatory enzyme. Lp-PLA2
is carried to the walls of arteries by LDL, the "bad
cholesterol," where it can activate an inflammatory response,
making plaque prone to rupture.
Approximately 68 percent of
heart attacks are from rupture prone plaque and thrombosis, not
stenosis (narrowing of the arteries). Studies show that the risk
suffering a heart attack is twice as great for individuals with
elevated levels of Lp-PLA2 compared with individuals with low
levels of Lp-PLA2, while individuals with elevated blood
pressure and elevated Lp-PLA2 levels are nearly seven times more
likely to suffer a stroke.
Oct. 29, 2008 The PLAC Test, the only blood test
cleared by the FDA to aid in assessing risk for both coronary heart
disease and ischemic stroke associated with atherosclerosis, is on its
way to becoming a regular part of the defense against cardiovascular
disease for National Football League retirees. This test is also
approved by Medicare.
The Living Heart Foundation (LHF), a non-profit
organization dedicated to combating cardiovascular disease in current
and retired NFL Players, announced last month it is joining with
disDexus, Inc., the diagnostics company that markets the PLAC Test, to
add this blood test to the LHFs cardiovascular risk assessment and
disease prevention program designed to identify individuals at elevated
risk for suffering a heart attack or stroke.
In June 2005, the FDA cleared the PLAC Test as the
first blood test for determining the risk for ischemic stroke associated
with atherosclerosis. This followed a 2003 FDA approval diaDexus
received to market the PLAC Test as an aid in the prediction of coronary
heart disease (CHD) risk.
The PLAC Test measures lipoprotein-associated
phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), a vascular-specific inflammatory enzyme
implicated in the formation of rupture-prone plaque.
It is plaque rupture and thrombosis, not stenosis
that cause the majority of cardiac events. Clinical research
demonstrates that early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease improves the
likelihood of preventing these events.
Traditional risk factors fail to identify many
people at risk for developing cardiovascular disease, said Dr. Archie
Roberts, founder of the Living Heart Foundation and a former NFL
Quarterback.
We are pleased to offer the PLAC Test which
provides new information, beyond traditional risk factors, to help
identify those individuals with an increased chance of suffering from a
cardiovascular event, allowing them to take the necessary steps to
improve not only their health, but also their chance of survival.
Dr. Roberts created the LHF to encourage athletes
to educate themselves on the importance of early detection and
aggressive management of cardiovascular disease through free health
clinics and events.
The cardiovascular risk assessment and disease
prevention programs held around the country will also contribute to
research conducted by the LHF exploring the relationship between
professional football players and cardiovascular disease.
Im thankful the LHF has incorporated the PLAC
Test into their health program, as it was an eye opener for my overall
health, said David OBrien, former NFL player for the for the Minnesota
Vikings, New York Giants and St. Louis Cardinals.
I never had heart problems, and my cholesterol was
under control so I assumed I was not at risk for a heart attack or
stroke. The PLAC Test identified my hidden risk for these events and
enabled my doctors to prescribe an aggressive treatment program to lower
my risk.
diaDexus is donating the PLAC Test kits for the LHF
cardiovascular risk assessment and disease prevention program.
About diaDexus
diaDexus, Inc., a privately held diagnostics
company based in South San Francisco, is focused on the development and
commercialization of patent-protected in vitro diagnostic products
addressing unmet needs in cardiovascular disease. For more information,
visit
www.plactest.com or
www.diaDexus.com.
About the Living Heart Foundation (LHF)
Living Heart Foundation (LHF) is a 501 (c) (3)
entity with a national network of hospitals and physicians that unite to
fight cardiovascular disease (CVD). The Foundation emphasizes CVD
awareness, education, objective testing, early diagnosis and credible
research. The 5 year old ongoing NFL retired player screening/study has
a database of over 1,400 former players.
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