Worried about your heart health? The PLAC test measures lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), a key marker of arterial inflammation linked to heart disease and stroke risk. This test helps assess your cardiovascular health beyond standard cholesterol checks, providing deeper insight into potential plaque buildup and inflammation in your arteries.
Your health, expertly explained
Go beyond the numbers
Get ready to elevate your health understanding with a personalised doctor's report. Go beyond results and tap into expert insights tailored just for you.
- Actionable advice
- Expert support
- Tailored recommendations
Blood testing made easy
How it works
You have the flexibility to choose what works best for you. Enjoy the comfort of having a friendly nurse visit your home for a quick blood draw, opt for a convenient visit to one of our nationwide partner clinics, or self-arrange a draw at a location that suits you.
Take control of your health with Medichecks – order your blood test today!
Our portal, your results
Track, improve, and monitor your health over time.
MyMedichecks is your personal online dashboard where you can view your results, access clear and simple explanations about individual health markers, monitor changes in your health, and securely store information about your medical history, lifestyle and vital statistics.
What's in the test?
Cholesterol status
Lp-PLA2
Learn more
The enzyme lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) plays a role in the inflammation of blood vessels, promoting the build up of plaque in the coronary arteries. Lp-PLA2 is a risk marker for cardiovascular disease and because it is produced in the plaque itself, Lp-PLA2 is thought to be more sensitive at assessing cardiovascular disease risk than traditional inflammatory markers, such as CRP.
How to prepare for your test
Test limitations
This test does not diagnose heart disease but identifies inflammation that may contribute to cardiovascular risk. Results should be interpreted alongside other heart health markers.
Reviews
FAQs
What is an Lp-PLA2 blood test?
Our PLAC (LP-PLA2) Blood Test measures the amount of Lp-PLA2 in your blood. By testing for Lp-PLA2, you can get an idea of whether there is plaque build-up in your arteries, which raises your risk of a cardiovascular event.
Is cholesterol the only measure for cardiovascular health?
Most people who have heart attacks or strokes have no warning signs beforehand, so assessing risk factors for cardiovascular health can be very important. While testing for cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood can identify some risk factors, many people with normal levels of cholesterol still go on to suffer heart attacks or strokes.
What is Lp-PLA2?
Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is an enzyme that plays a role in the inflammation of blood vessels and can increase the risk of rupture of plaque deposits on the artery walls.