Simple blood test unveils hidden risks of unstable coronary plaques

A straightforward blood-based assessment developed at the Institute of Science Tokyo, Japan, can help assess how effectively high-density lipoprotein (HDL) removes cholesterol from blood vessel walls, a function known as cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC).

The study linked low CEC to high-risk coronary plaque, supporting the broader clinical use of this method for predicting cardiovascular risk and improving preventive strategies. ...