Our Research

Doctors have traditionally used “good” (HDL) and “bad” (LDL) cholesterol to assess heart health. However, many individuals with heart disease have normal levels of these, making it harder to predict risks like heart failure or stroke. Research now shows that measuring cholesterol throughout the day, instead of just after fasting, provides a more complete picture of heart health.

Remnant cholesterol is the leftover cholesterol left in the blood after the body processes the fats from a meal. It can build up in arteries, increasing heart disease risk. Traditional fasting tests may not fully capture its impact, but measuring cholesterol throughout the day in a non-fasting state gives a more complete picture. Because of this, medical guidelines in Europe and Canada now recommend non-fasting cholesterol tests for better results.

Standard cholesterol tests don’t always work well for teenagers, especially during puberty. Hormone changes can affect cholesterol levels, which makes it harder to spot early signs of heart disease. New research shows that checking cholesterol at different times during the day may give better results for younger people. Scientists also found that teens with obesity might have more trouble processing fat, which could increase their risk for heart problems.

New portable devices, similar to glucose monitors, allow people to easily check their cholesterol levels. These handheld monitors make it simpler to track cholesterol throughout the day, which helps us assess heart health. Doctors can also use these devices in their clinics to get instant results, so patients won’t need to visit a lab for testing.