Healthier World with Quest Diagnostics

Inflammation plays a critical role in cardiometabolic diseases, but traditional risk markers like LDL-C and hs-CRP don’t tell the whole story. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), an enzyme linked to oxidative stress and immune activation, may offer a deeper look into hidden cardiovascular and metabolic risk. In this episode, Dr Marc Penn unpacks the new research examining the association between MPO and the risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and  nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) across atherogenic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk groups and what it might mean for prevention and tailored treatment.

This episode will

The content was current as of the time of recording. To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.

Date: 6/2025

Speaker(s):  Maeson Latsko, PhD; Dr Marc Penn

Contributor(s):  Maeson Latsko, PhD; Trisha Winchester, PhD; Kathryn Morales, MS

Additional Resources

Ordering information

MPO ordering information 

Quest Diagnostics Clinical Education Center [Link]

References

Iakoubova OA, Haji-Sheikhi F, Louie JZ, et al. Association of MPO levels with cardiometabolic disease stratified by atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk and intensity of therapy in a workforce population. Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):12244. Published 2025 Apr 10. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-89373-7

In this special episode of Healthier World designed to give you Instant Insights, we dive into advanced lipid testing—going beyond a standard lipid panel. Today, we will explore two powerful tools used to look at lipoprotein fractionation: ion mobility and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). We will look at how these tests work and how they can uncover hidden risk for cardiovascular disease.

This episode will

The content was current as of the time of recording. To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.

Date: 6/2025

Speaker(s):  Maeson Latsko, PhD

Contributor(s):  Maeson Latsko, PhD; Trisha Winchester, PhD; Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC; Abhi Patel

Additional Resources

Ordering information:

Quest Diagnostics Clinical Education Center [Link]

Fractionation, Ion Mobility

Fractionation, NMR

References:          

Cromwell WC, Otvos JD, Keyes MJ, et al. LDL Particle Number and Risk of Future Cardiovascular Disease in the Framingham Offspring Study - Implications for LDL Management. J Clin Lipidol. 2007;1(6):583-592. doi:10.1016/j.jacl.2007.10.001

German CA, Shapiro MD. Assessing Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk with Advanced Lipid Testing: State of the Science. Eur Cardiol. 2020;15:e56.  doi:10.15420/ecr.2019.18

Quesada JA, Bertomeu-González V, Orozco-Beltrán D, et al. The benefits of measuring the size and number of lipoprotein particles for cardiovascular risk prediction: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Investig Arterioscler. 2023;35(4):165-177. doi:10.1016/j.arteri.2022.11.001

In this special episode of Healthier World designed to give you Instant Insights, we take a look at primary aldosteronism (PA)- an often underdiagnosed, yet prevalent cause of hypertension. In this episode, we challenge traditional screening methods and introduce a streamlined diagnostic approach. By recognizing the signs of Primary Aldosteronism earlier, providers can improve patient outcomes and avoid increased risk for cardiovascular and metabolic conditions associated with untreated PA.

This episode will

The content was current as of the time of recording. To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.

Date: 6/2025

Speaker(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD

Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD; Trisha Winchester, PhD; Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC; Akhil Singh; Smruti Sheth, Marco Marcelli, MD

Additional Resources:

https://www.questdiagnostics.com/healthcare-professionals/about-our-tests/endocrine-disorders/primary-aldosteronism

Ordering information:

Plasma Renin Activity with Reflex to Aldosterone | Test Detail | Quest Diagnostics

References:

Adler GK, Stowasser M, Correa RR, et al. Primary Aldosteronism: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2025;110(9):2453-2495. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgaf284

Writing Committee Members*, Jones DW, Ferdinand KC, et al. 2025 AHA/ACC/AANP/AAPA/ABC/ACCP/ACPM/AGS/AMA/ASPC/NMA/PCNA/SGIM Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Hypertension. 2025;82(10):e212-e316. doi:10.1161/HYP.0000000000000249

Marcelli M, Bi C, Funder JW, McPhaul MJ. Comparing ARR Versus Suppressed PRA as Screening Tests for Primary Aldosteronism. Hypertension. 2024;81(10):2072-2081. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.124.22884

Dogra P, Bancos I, Young WF Jr. Primary Aldosteronism: A Pragmatic Approach to Diagnosis and Management. Mayo Clin Proc. 2023;98(8):1207-1215. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2023.04.023

Understanding the diagnosis and treatment in primary aldosteronism (PA) often feels elusive to most providers. PA is marked by the elevation of aldosterone and the suppression of renin leading to a disproportionately higher risk of cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic disease compared to those patients with essential hypertension, yet this condition is often undiagnosed. This episode will discuss the use of the Plasma Renin Activity lab to screen for primary aldosteronism and guideline-directed care of PA.  In today’s episode, Maeson Latsko, PhD and Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC, Clinical and Education Specialists at Quest Diagnostics Center of Excellence at Cleveland Heartlab, will discuss the next steps in care once primary aldosteronism has been identified.

This episode will

The content was current as of the time of recording. To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.

Date: 5/2025

Speaker(s):  Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC; Maeson Latsko, PhD

Contributor(s):  Maeson Latsko, PhD; Millicent Kee; MSN, FNP-BC; Trisha Winchester, PhD; Sanjay Dixit, MD; Akhil Singh

Additional Resources

Ordering information:

Quest Diagnostics Clinical Education Center [Link]

Plasma Renin Activity with Reflex to Aldosterone | Test Detail | Quest Diagnostics

https://www.questdiagnostics.com/healthcare-professionals/about-our-tests/endocrine-disorders/primary-aldosteronism

References:

 Auchus RJ. Approaching Primary Aldosteronism as a Common Disease. Endocr Pract. 2023;29(12):994-998. doi:10.1016/j.eprac. 2023.08.014

Brown JM, Tsai LC, Abel EE, et al. Nationwide, Pragmatic, Direct-to-Patient Primary Aldosteronism Testing Program. Hypertension. 2025 Feb 21. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.125.24648.

Funder JW, Carey RM, Mantero F, et al. The Management of Primary Aldosteronism: Case Detection, Diagnosis, and Treatment: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016;101(5):1889-1916. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-4061

Marcelli M, Bi C, Funder JW, McPhaul MJ. Comparing ARR Versus Suppressed PRA as Screening Tests for Primary Aldosteronism. Hypertension. 2024;81(10):2072-2081. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.124.22884

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in men and women, yet 45% of women don’t know it’s their leading cause of death. A staggering 71% of women never discuss heart health with their physicians. This episode will explore this gender disparity and elucidate why women carry unique risk for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Today’s episode is with clinical educators Trisha Winchester, PhD and Maeson Latsko, PhD.

This episode will

To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings, as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.

Date: 04/2025

Speaker(s): Trisha Winchester, PhD; Maeson Latsko, PhD

Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD; Trisha Winchester, PhD; Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC; Abhi Patel

Additional Resources:

Women in CV risk article

References:

Cardiovascular Disease and Breast Cancer: Where These Entities Intersect: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2019;140(9):e543. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000728

Vilmi-Kerälä T, Palomäki O, Vainio M, Uotila J, Palomäki A. The risk of metabolic syndrome after gestational diabetes mellitus - a hospital-based cohort study. Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2015;7:43. Published 2015 May 12. doi:10.1186/s13098-015-0038-z

Vounzoulaki E, Khunti K, Abner SC, Tan BK, Davies MJ, Gillies CL. Progression to type 2 diabetes in women with a known history of gestational diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2020;369:m1361. Published 2020 May 13. doi:10.1136/bmj.m1361

Kramer CK, Campbell S, Retnakaran R. Gestational diabetes and the risk of cardiovascular disease in women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetologia. 2019;62(6):905-914. doi:10.1007/s00125-019-4840-2

Brown MC, Best KE, Pearce MS, Waugh J, Robson SC, Bell R. Cardiovascular disease risk in women with pre-eclampsia: systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Epidemiol. 2013;28(1):1-19. doi:10.1007/s10654-013-9762-6

Leslie MS, Briggs LA. Preeclampsia and the Risk of Future Vascular Disease and Mortality: A Review. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2016;61(3):315-324. doi:10.1111/jmwh.12469

PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and diabetes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed March 24, 2020. Accessed August 18, 2022.https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/pcos.html

Approximately 120 million people in the US have hypertension, which is about half of the adult population. Identifying the mechanisms that cause hypertension is crucial for the proper treatment of patients, yet 9 out of 10 patients do not know the origin of their hypertension. New research reveals that up to 30% of patients suffer from hypertension due to primary aldosteronism (PA). With less than 1% of patients with hypertension being screened for hypertension, today’s episode is designed to bring awareness to PA and discuss the breakthrough research that may help drive screening for PA. Today’s episode is with Maeson Latsko, PhD, Clinical and Education Specialist at Quest Diagnostics Center of Excellence at Cleveland Heartlab, Dr Sanjay Dixit, and Dr Marco Marcelli, board certified endocrinologists and medical directors with Quest Diagnostics.

This episode will

To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.

Date: 3/2025

Speaker(s): Sanjay Dixit, MD; Marco Marcelli, MD; Maeson Latsko, PhD

Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD, Trisha Winchester, PhD; Sanjay Dixit, MD; Marco Marcelli, MD; Maeson Latsko, PhD; Akhil Singh

Additional Resources:

https://www.questdiagnostics.com/healthcare-professionals/about-our-tests/endocrine-disorders/primary-aldosteronism

Ordering information:

Plasma Renin Activity with Reflex to Aldosterone | Test Detail | Quest Diagnostics

References:

Marcelli M, Bi C, Funder JW, McPhaul MJ. Comparing ARR Versus Suppressed PRA as Screening Tests for Primary Aldosteronism. Hypertension. 2024;81(10):2072-2081. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.124.22884

Brown JM, Siddiqui M, Calhoun DA, Carey RM, Hopkins PN, Williams GH, Vaidya A. The unrecognized prevalence of primary aldosteronism: a cross-sectional study. Ann Intern Med. 2020;173:10–20. doi: 10.7326/M20-0065

Vaidya A, Hundemer GL, Nanba K, Parksook WW, Brown JM. Primary Aldosteronism: State-of-the-Art Review. Am J Hypertens. 2022;35(12):967-988. doi:10.1093/ajh/hpac079

Auchus RJ. Approaching Primary Aldosteronism as a Common Disease. Endocr Pract. 2023;29(12):994-998. doi:10.1016/j.eprac.2023.08.014

Ostchega Y, Fryar CD, Nwankwo T, et al. Hypertension Prevalence Among Adults Aged 18 and over: United States, 2017-2018. April 2020. Accessed November 20, 2024. Products - Data Briefs - Number 364 - April 2020

Dogra P, Bancos I, Young WF Jr. Primary Aldosteronism: A Pragmatic Approach to Diagnosis and Management. Mayo Clin Proc. 2023;98(8):1207-1215. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2023.04.023

Funder JW, Carey RM, Mantero F, et al. The Management of Primary Aldosteronism: Case Detection, Diagnosis, and Treatment: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016;101(5):1889-1916. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-4061

More than 1 in 7 US adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease, or CKD, and as many as 9 in 10 don’t know they have it.  Damage to your kidneys cannot be reversed, but if found early, there are ways to prevent its progression such as following a healthy eating plan and being physically active.  Today’s episode is with Patty Bianchi, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, and Maeson Latsko, PhD, Clinical and Education Specialist at Quest Diagnostics Center of Excellence at Cleveland HeartLab. 

This episode will

The content was current as of the time of recording. To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.

Date:  03/2025

Speakers(s):  Patty Bianchi, RDN, CDCES; Maeson Latsko, PhD

Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD; Patty Bianchi, RDN, CDCES; Trisha Winchester, PhD

Additional Resources: 

 Instant Insights: Kidney Profile and eGFR with creatinine and cystatin-C

Quest Diagnostics Clinical Education Center [Link] 

References:

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. Kidney Disease Statistics for the United States. September 9, 2024. Accessed February 2025

Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) CKD Work Group. KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease. Kidney Int. 2024;105(4S):S117-S314. doi:10.1016/j.kint.2023.10.018

Key Takeaways People Living with CKD

As many as 45% of Americans have a chronic disease. Shared cardiometabolic risk factors contribute to related conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, poor glycemic control, chronic kidney disease, fatty liver disease, and common endocrine disorders. As evidence demonstrating the interrelationships between chronic cardiometabolic diseases continues to expand, establishing a personalized approach to reduce risk is crucial. This episode is with Quest Diagnostics® experts Maeson Latsko, PhD, Clinical and Education Specialist, and Dr Marc Penn, founder and chief medical officer for Cleveland Heart Lab at the Quest Cardiometabolic Center of Excellence™ in Cleveland, Ohio.  Dr Penn is also a board-certified cardiologist and director of research at Summa Cardiovascular Institute.

This episode will

The content was current as of the time of recording. To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.

Date: 2/2025

Speaker(s): Maeson S Latsko, PhD; Marc Penn, MD, PhD

Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD; Trisha Winchester, PhD; Mouris Saghir, PhD

Ordering information:

Cardiometabolic Disease Assessment (CMDA) Panel

References: 

Additional Resources:

Website: Cardiometabolic disease | Quest Diagnostics

1in 7 US adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease, or CKD. Because early stages of the disease are often clinically silent, 90% of individuals with CKD don’t know they have it. This podcast highlights the importance of early CKD detection and the need for proper screening, especially in individuals with hypertension and diabetes. The Kidney Profile aligns with guidelines and includes the urine-albumin-creatinine ratio and eGFR. The new 2024 guidelines recommend using both creatinine and Cystatin C in estimating eGFR in certain populations, which provides a more accurate risk assessment for CKD and other cardiometabolic conditions like heart disease and stroke. By adopting this dual approach, healthcare providers can improve early detection, staging, and management of CKD, leading to better patient outcomes.

This episode will

The content was current as of the time of recording. To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.

Date: 12/2024

Speaker(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD

Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD; Trisha Winchester, PhD

Additional Resources:

Quest Diagnostics Clinical Education Center [Link]

Ordering information:

 Kidney Profile [link]

Kidney Profile Test Summary [link]

eGFR with Creatinine and Cystatin C [link]

References:

Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) CKD Work Group. KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease. Kidney Int. 2024;105(4S):S117-S314. doi:10.1016/j.kint.2023.10.018

National Kidney Foundation. Kidney Disease: Fact Sheet. National Kidney Foundation. August 6, 2024. Accessed December 19, 2024. https://www.kidney.org/about/kidney-disease-fact-sheet

Increased rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes are increasing rates of cardiometabolic conditions. Identifying and intervening in early stages of metabolic dysfunction is crucial in order to delay and prevent disease progression. The Metabolic Risk Panel is a comprehensive test that helps identify individuals at risk for metabolic dysfunction, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease. The panel includes Hemoglobin A1C, Insulin Resistance Panel with Score, Lipid Panel, and Apolipoprotein B (apoB), which together provide a more detailed picture of cardiometabolic health than traditional tests alone. By incorporating these biomarkers, clinicians can detect metabolic risks earlier, enabling proactive interventions to prevent conditions like Type 2 Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, and other related cardiometabolic conditions.

This episode will

The content was current as of the time of recording. To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions. 

Date: 12/2024

Speaker(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD

Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD; Trisha Winchester, PhD

Additional Resources:

Quest Diagnostics Clinical Education Center [Link]

Ordering information:

Metabolic Risk Panel [link]

References:

Cannon A, Handelsman Y, Heile M, Shannon M. Burden of illness in type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Manag Care Spec Pharm. 2018;24(9-a Suppl):S5-S13. doi:10.18553/jmcp.2018.24.9-a.s5

Johannesen CDL, Langsted A, Nordestgaard BG, Mortensen MB. Excess apolipoprotein B and cardiovascular risk in women and men. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2024;83(23):2262-2273. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2024.03.423

Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services. Diabetes Screening & Definitions Update: CY 2024 physician fee schedule final rule. June 25, 2024. Accessed December 19, 2024. https://www.cms.gov/files/document/mm13487-diabetes-screening-definitions-update-cy-2024-physician-fee-schedule-final-rule.pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). National diabetes statistics report, 2017: Estimates of Diabetes and its Burden in the United States. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pdfs/data/statistics/national-diabetes-statistics-report.pdf