HealthMed Holdings, a company dedicated to the prevention of cardiovascular disease through innovative laboratory tests in conjunction with preventive strategies, has completed validation on a novel blood test that aims to identify individuals who are at risk of a heart attack that might be missed by conventional tests. These individuals have no symptoms and frequently have normal standard blood cholesterol profiles, but are at significant risk of having a heart attack in the near term. The group is actively commercializing the test.

The new MAP Test (Myocardial Assessment Profile) covers pathways involved in unstable cardiac lesions due to inflammation. Inflammation is the most common cause of heart attacks (up to 75 per cent).

HealthMed Holdings managing partner, Douglas S Harrington, said that the test will be offered globally with a focus on nations where there has been a steep rise in cardiac disease, obesity and diabetes.

"Increasing awareness that lifestyle choices significantly determine heart attack and stroke risk, and deficiencies in current diagnostic tools miss, many individuals who go on to have a heart attack or stroke determined a need for ways to identify these individuals so preventive measures can be taken. The health care authorities in many countries are taking a proactive approach to reversing these trends," said Dr Harrington.

The MAP Test measures compounds in the blood associated with vascular inflammation causing unstable cardiac lesions. Measurement of these compounds in a person's serum enables identification of patients at risk of a heart attack in the near term. The MAP Test allows physicians to more effectively manage and treat their patients to the new ACC/AHA Cardiac guidelines – aiding in the reduction and prevention of cardiac events. Used in conjunction with other clinical information, the MAP Test's easy to understand results yield better compliance and behavioral changes by patients.

HealthMed Holdings is dedicated to promoting preventive healthcare strategies through global alliances to deploy innovative diagnostic technologies in conjunction with lifestyle modification programs and medical compliance education.