DENVER -- Each month more than 5,000 Coloradans have blood drawn for a cholesterol test that offers a more detailed profile than the traditional cholesterol test.

Some doctors say the VAP Cholesterol Test can find your risk of a heart attack twice as often as a traditional cholesterol test.

“We do a VAP testing on everybody who comes in my office," said Dr. Ian Levenson of Rose Center for Preventive Medicine. Levenson says he has used the VAP test on every patient for the past six years.

"The whole point of the test is to get early detection before you have an irreversible process,” said Levenson.

The VAP Cholesterol Test is a detailed test that measures 15 separate lipid components. In comparison, the traditional cholesterol test measures four lipid components.

“It gives you a lot more information as far as the characteristic of the LDL or the bad cholesterol,” said Levenson.

That detailed information made an important discovery for Bob Keller.

According to a traditional cholesterol test, his levels were fine. But the VAP test showed he was really at a higher risk for a heart attack.

His family history of high blood pressure and the fact that he has Type 2 diabetes play a hidden role in his heightened risk.

“I always thought is a heart attack going to get me early?” said Keller during a recent check up with Dr. Levenson.

Doctors use the detailed information from the VAP Test to personalize treatment. One patient may benefit from a specific cholesterol-lowering drug while another may not need to take a drug at all.

"Statins are phenomenal lifesaving drugs. They do things that no other medications on the earth can do," said Levenson. He also points out that finding the correct statin can help to reduce side effects for some patients.

"What we call aches and pains are the common side effect with statins in certain people," said Levenson.

“Certain statins do fit certain profiles. You can many times be put on a smaller dose of a more effective statin and it reduces the side effects,” said Levenson.

For Keller, his life now involves taking a statin in addition to a variety of vitamins. Now his chance of having a heart attack is close to zero.

“I honestly think of Dr. Levenson as kind of a guardian angel. I come in here to be tested for my own good," said Keller.

The VAP Cholesterol Test is most often covered by insurance and costs about the same as a traditional cholesterol test.

It does take time for your doctor to learn how to properly identify the results, one reason Levenson believes the test is still relatively new to patients.

For more information go to the following Web sites.

The VAP Cholesterol Test

Rose Center for Preventive Medicine