LDL is a proxy measure that's cheap and easy to measure. It's widely used for screening despite not being perfect, which confused some into thinking it's the one and only thing measure of CVD risk. It's not, though. Many of the tests we look at are proxies and markers, not actually the sole factor for a disease.
More in-depth testing would check LDL-P (particle count) and ApoB along with hsCRP.
Though realistically, most people could simply look at their diet and lifestyle and work on improving both before investing in any extra testing. The testing can be useful to catch cases where genetics overwhelm even healthy lifestyles, but in many cases for younger people the testing basically serves as a wake-up call to actually do something about lifestyle and diet problems. It's easier to inspire lifestyle and diet changes when you're staring at bad numbers on the test results and getting a little preview of the consequences of your decisions.
More in-depth testing would check LDL-P (particle count) and ApoB along with hsCRP.
Though realistically, most people could simply look at their diet and lifestyle and work on improving both before investing in any extra testing. The testing can be useful to catch cases where genetics overwhelm even healthy lifestyles, but in many cases for younger people the testing basically serves as a wake-up call to actually do something about lifestyle and diet problems. It's easier to inspire lifestyle and diet changes when you're staring at bad numbers on the test results and getting a little preview of the consequences of your decisions.