If you live in or near Conshohocken and want your ApoB and Lp(a) measured, both tests are part of the lab work in every Cardio Res-Q assessment at our Conshohocken office in Montgomery County. That includes the $775 Comprehensive Assessment and the $999 Enhanced Assessment. You do not need to add them or pay extra for them.
The labs are drawn first, at least a week before your 1-hour consult with Dr. Varano, so he can go through the results with you in the visit. Lp(a) is measured once, because it is mostly inherited and nothing lowers it yet. ApoB is a number that can change, so it is worth tracking.
Key takeaways
- Both $775 and $999 assessments include ApoB and Lp(a) in the standard lab work.
- Your blood draw happens a week or more ahead of the consult, so the results are ready to discuss.
- Plan on a 10 to 12 hour fast before the draw.
- Lp(a) is a one-time inherited marker, while ApoB can move with diet, weight and medication.
- A high Lp(a) changes how firmly the other risk factors are managed, not the Lp(a) itself.
Why these two tests, and not just a cholesterol panel
A standard cholesterol panel reports LDL cholesterol, HDL and triglycerides. ApoB and Lp(a) add two things that panel does not show.
ApoB counts the particles that carry cholesterol into artery walls. A National Lipid Association consensus statement concludes that ApoB reflects the burden of these particles more accurately than LDL cholesterol.1 In a Danish study of about 13,000 people taking statins, high ApoB was linked with heart attack risk even when LDL cholesterol was below the median.2 For the full explanation, see our ApoB test guide and high ApoB with normal LDL.
Lp(a) is a type of cholesterol-carrying particle whose level is set mostly by your genes. The 2026 US cholesterol guideline advises measuring Lp(a) once in all adults.3 Many people have never had it checked. Our Lp(a) test guide covers what it is and why it matters.
What is in the Cardio Res-Q labs
| Lab group | Markers | Included in |
|---|---|---|
| Cholesterol and lipoprotein | ApoB, Lp(a) | $775 and $999 |
| Inflammatory and vascular | hs-CRP, homocysteine | $775 and $999 |
| Metabolic | Insulin, glucose, A1c | $775 and $999 |
| Cleveland HeartLab panel | Lp(a), ApoB, hs-CRP, oxidized LDL, small dense LDL and other proprietary markers | $775 and $999 |
The Enhanced Assessment adds a CIMT ultrasound in our office and a coronary calcium score at an outside imaging center. Our guide to what the Cleveland HeartLab panel measures explains the extra markers.
How the testing works, step by step
- Book your assessment. Choose the $775 or $999 option on the program page.
- Schedule your blood draw. Plan it at least a week before your consult. Ask our team where and when the draw can be done.
- Fast before the draw. The clinic asks for 10 to 12 hours without food. Our guide to fasting before heart labs covers water, coffee and medications.
- Attend your 1-hour consult. Dr. Varano reviews your ApoB, Lp(a) and the rest of your results with you, along with your history and lifestyle.
- Leave with a plan. You receive a personalized heart protection plan.
Whether the first consult can be done by video is not something the clinic has confirmed, so ask our team. Later follow-ups can be by telehealth in some cases, for patients in Pennsylvania.
What happens if your ApoB is high
A high ApoB means more cholesterol-carrying particles than is ideal. The 2018 US cholesterol guideline lists an ApoB of 130 mg/dL or higher as a risk-enhancing factor.4 ApoB responds to changes in diet, weight and insulin resistance, and to cholesterol-lowering medicine.
The clinic prescribes statins and non-statin medicines itself, case by case, when they are appropriate. It does not refer out for prevention care. Whether medicine makes sense depends on your whole picture, not on one number. Do not start, stop or change a medication without your prescriber.
What happens if your Lp(a) is high
A high Lp(a) is common. The NLA puts high risk at 125 nmol/L (50 mg/dL) or above and notes that about 1 in 5 people have an elevated level.5 There is no approved medicine that lowers Lp(a) to prevent heart events, and the first outcome trial of an Lp(a)-lowering drug did not meet its main goal in 2026. The clinic does not treat or lower Lp(a).
What a high result changes is how firmly everything else is managed: LDL cholesterol and ApoB, blood pressure, blood sugar, weight and smoking. It is also a reason for close relatives to get tested once. One more detail: in a pooled analysis of trials, statins raised Lp(a) levels modestly compared with placebo.6 That is not a reason to avoid a statin, but it is a reason to note whether your Lp(a) was measured before or after starting one. Our guide on what to do about high Lp(a) goes further.
Next step: how to book in Conshohocken
Go to the Cardio Res-Q program page and choose the Comprehensive Assessment ($775) or the Enhanced Assessment ($999). Both include ApoB and Lp(a). Both are direct-pay and are not billed to insurance. You are welcome to try an HSA or FSA card, but the clinic has no data on whether it will be accepted and does not provide reimbursement forms.
If you already have recent labs or a calcium score, bring them. Questions first? Contact our team. Ongoing care after the assessment is optional.
Are You a Candidate for Cardio Res-Q?
Three quick questions about the risk factors we screen for. Your answers stay between you and the clinic.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get only an ApoB or Lp(a) test?
The clinic offers these tests as part of the $775 and $999 assessments, which include a consult and a plan. A standalone test is not listed, so ask our team if that is what you want.
I already had Lp(a) tested. Do I need it again?
Lp(a) is meant to be measured once, since it changes little over a lifetime. Bring your earlier result, with its unit, and mention it when you book.
Will my ApoB be retested later?
ApoB can change with treatment and lifestyle, so it is often rechecked. How often depends on your plan, and our guide on how often to repeat heart tests covers the general intervals.
Can my own doctor see the results?
Yes. Many patients keep their primary care doctor or cardiologist, and the clinic is happy to share results with them.
Related reading
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Decisions about testing and medication should be made with your clinician. If you have chest pain or other symptoms of a heart attack, call 911.
