Preventive health is becoming a central focus for adults looking to improve longevity and enhance their healthspan. Rather than waiting for symptoms, we prioritize early detection of cardiovascular risks. One advanced tool that supports this approach is MPO (Myeloperoxidase) testing, included in our Annual Wellness Exam.
What Is MPO (Myeloperoxidase)?
Myeloperoxidase is an enzyme released by white blood cells due to inflammation inside blood vessels. When arteries are irritated or inflamed, MPO levels rise. Unlike standard cholesterol tests—which detect plaque after it forms—MPO identifies early vascular inflammation, the kind of activity that can make plaque unstable and increase cardiovascular risk [1,2].
Importantly, MPO is not used as a stand-alone tool to predict cardiovascular health. It is evaluated alongside cholesterol and ApoB, inflammatory markers such as CRP, and overall risk factors to provide a more complete picture of cardiovascular status [3].
MPO testing is especially valuable for individuals who:
- have a family history of heart disease,
- manage conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes,
- maintain normal cholesterol but want a deeper assessment,
- prioritize preventive care, longevity, and long-term heart health.
Why MPO Matters in Preventive Heart Health
Arterial inflammation is one of the earliest steps in the development of heart disease, long before symptoms appear. MPO offers detailed insight into this inflammatory process. Elevated MPO levels have been associated with:
- increased risk of heart attack and stroke [1,4],
- unstable arterial plaque [2,4],
- accelerated progression of coronary artery disease [5].
Because MPO detects changes earlier than routine labs, it helps reveal cardiovascular risk that might otherwise go unnoticed [1,5].
What MPO Can Reveal About Your Heart
MPO testing answers key questions that traditional cholesterol panels cannot, such as:
- Is there hidden inflammation in my arteries?
- Am I at risk even if my cholesterol is normal?
- Should I adopt preventive strategies to protect long-term cardiovascular health?
Recent research highlights MPO as an important biomarker that adds incremental risk information beyond standard lipid testing and hs-CRP [3,6]. This provides a more complete view of cardiovascular health and supports decisions that promote longevity and healthspan.
If Your MPO Level Is Elevated
An elevated MPO result is not a diagnosis—it’s an early signal. It highlights inflammation and identifies an opportunity to intervene proactively. This allows our physicians to develop tailored prevention strategies such as:
- discussing targeted nutrition and anti-inflammatory diets,
- emphasizing exercise and stress management,
- medications when clinically indicated (when cholesterol is also elevated),
- periodic monitoring of cardiovascular markers, including MPO.
Persistent elevation of MPO has been linked to worse cardiovascular outcomes, while reducing vascular inflammation may help improve long-term prognosis [5,7].
A More Complete Approach to Cardiovascular Prevention
Most routine physicals rely heavily on cholesterol testing. While cholesterol remains important, it does not capture early inflammatory changes. MPO adds:
- earlier detection of arterial inflammation,
- more precise cardiovascular risk assessment,
- a personalized prevention roadmap aligned with longevity and healthspan goals.
A Clearer Picture of Your Heart Health
MPO testing provides insight into cardiovascular inflammation that routine labs often miss. Research points towards MPO as a meaningful biomarker in cardiovascular risk assessment and prevention-focused care [2,6]. This level of evaluation reflects the strengths of preventive primary care and concierge medicine, where deeper testing supports long-term wellness.
References
- Ramachandra CJA et al. Myeloperoxidase as a Multifaceted Target for Cardiovascular Protection. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2020;32(15):1135–1151.
- Chaikijurajai T, Tang WHW. Myeloperoxidase and Cardiovascular Disease: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Coronary Artery Disease. J Transl Med. 2020;18:1–12.
- Romero-Cabrera JL et al. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Advanced Oxidative and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Disease. Diagnostics (Basel). 2022;12(11):2692.
- Zhang N et al. Correlation Analysis of Plasma Myeloperoxidase Level with Inflammation and Prognosis in NSTEMI Patients. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022;9:828174.
- Iakoubova OA et al. Association of MPO Levels with Cardiometabolic and Renal Disease in a Large Cohort. Sci Rep. 2025.
- Frangie C, Daher J. Role of Myeloperoxidase in Inflammation and Atherosclerosis: Review. Biomed Rep. 2022;16(5):39.
- Quinn M et al. Myeloperoxidase as a Potential Therapeutic Target After Myocardial Infarction. Antioxidants (Basel). 2024;13(7):788.
