A new study reports that many patients may be receiving cholesterol testing that is less informative for guiding preventive treatment for heart disease than an apolipoprotein B (apoB) test. ApoB measures the number of atherogenic cholesterol particles in the blood, while standard low-density lipoprotein (LDL) tests measure cholesterol concentration rather than particle number. Across the research described by multiple outlets, apoB-based decision-making is presented as more accurate for identifying people at higher risk who may benefit from more intensive therapy. The study’s modeling and analysis indicate that using apoB to guide treatment could prevent additional heart attacks and strokes compared with strategies based on LDL alone, while also remaining cost-effective for the U.S. healthcare system. The articles also note that implementing apoB testing may require an additional step in current clinical workflows. Overall, the findings suggest a potential shift toward particle-based cholesterol assessment to improve the timing and targeting of cardiovascular risk management.