Metropolis Healthcare, one of the leading multinational chain of diagnostic centers, will offer PLAC test, a risk stratification test which identifies the enzyme in the blood vessels. PLAC test is a simple blood test that measures the enzyme activity of Lp-PLA2 level in the body.

It is a cardiovascular-specific inflammatory marker implicated in the formation of rupture-prone plaque. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is a blood vessel enzyme, found to be the second most predictive of heart attack risk, also warns of vulnerable plaque that could erupt like a volcano. The higher the level of Lp-PLA2, the higher the risk of CV events i.e., heart attack and stroke - even with normal LDL cholesterol.

Lp-PLA2 as a biomarker for cardiovascular risk stratification has been endorsed by various guidelines published by the American College of Cardiology Foundation/America Heart Association, the American Stroke Association, the American Association of clinical endocrinologists in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

“PLAC test is a simple blood test that assesses your cardiac health. Cholesterol testing alone is not enough; as a traditional cholesterol test can miss hidden risks for heart attack. More than 50 per cent of heart attacks occur in patients with normal cholesterol; rather most cardiovascular (CV) events i.e., heart attack and stroke are caused due to rupture of plaque that is formed by cholesterol deposition in the blood vessels,” said Dr Rajesh Bendre, head of department immunochemistry and special immunochemistry, Metropolis Healthcare.

In heart diseases, it's known that an unhealthy lifestyle that includes fatty foods, excess alcohol and smoking dramatically increases the risk of a stroke. This drives up cholesterol levels and increases blood pressure. Blood vessels become clogged with fatty deposits that can dislodge and make their way to the brain, depriving it of vital oxygen. However, doctors acknowledge that a significant number of people fall victim to strokes despite having no obvious risk factors.

“Eventually, the unstable plaque can rupture, turn into potential lethal clots and debris loose in bloodstream—causing a stroke or a heart attack. PLAC test is second generation enzyme linked immunoassay test, helping doctors with prediction of future strokes and heart attack,” Dr Arvind Joshi, consultant cardiologist informed.