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Atherotech's VAP(R) Test Now Exclusive Method of Cholesterol Measurement at Lindora Medical Clinics; Blood Test Detects Hidden Heart Disease Risk and the Metabolic Syndrome

Posted on: Thursday, 9 March 2006, 09:00 CST

Atherotech, Inc., a pioneer in cardiodiagnostic technology, today announced that Lindora Medical Clinics will exclusively use Atherotech's next-generation VAP(R) Test to measure its patients' cholesterol levels as part of the cutting-edge Lindora Metabolic Fitness Treatment Program(R).

Available since 2004 at all 34 Lindora Medical Clinics in Southern California, the VAP Test measures a range of cholesterol components and subclasses that play a significant role in the development of heart disease but are not measured by the routine cholesterol test. The test also provides more accurate, direct measurements, rather than the estimates provided by the routine test. As a result, the VAP Test identifies more than 90 percent of people at risk for heart disease, compared with just 40 percent with the routine cholesterol test.

Lindora's Metabolic Fitness Treatment Program is a 10-week plan pioneered by the Lindora medical team that includes some of the most advanced health evaluations available -- such as the VAP Test -- combined with an innovative assessment tool called the Metabolic Fitness Quotient and a customized, comprehensive treatment plan. Using the VAP Test, Lindora physicians can better assess their patients' true risk for such conditions as heart disease, stroke, and the metabolic syndrome -- which in some patients may be a precursor to diabetes -- that go hand-in-hand with being overweight. The test also aids in patient education and monitoring the effects of therapy.

"The comprehensive, accurate cholesterol information provided by the VAP Test is a vital part of our clients' Metabolic Fitness Quotients, which provide a better picture of their health -- beyond how they look or feel," said Dr. Sabina M. Kobylinski, medical director of Lindora. "One of the exciting things about our program and the VAP Test is that very often, we identify pre-disease states or conditions so that we can focus on disease prevention. For example, identifying the metabolic syndrome in patients means they may later develop diabetes, allowing us to encourage lifestyle changes and recommend treatment at a critical time."

Roseanne Varner, Atherotech's president and chief executive officer, said, "We are pleased that Lindora has chosen the VAP Test as the exclusive method of cholesterol measurement in its innovative weight loss program. Atherotech and Lindora share a commitment to cardiovascular disease prevention, and this partnership will ensure that patients have access to comprehensive cholesterol information that will help them improve their overall health and reduce their risk for a host of serious medical problems, including heart disease and the metabolic syndrome."

About Lindora

Cited as an authority by "The Today Show,""Good Morning America," and CNN, as well as a number of nationally respected newspapers and magazines, Lindora Medical Clinics is a multi-faceted, medically supervised program combining diet, moderate exercise, and motivational tools to help patients become lean for life. Stressing an "eat better, move more, stress less" philosophy, Lindora helps 5,000 patients each day at its Southern California clinics and thousands of others through its cyber-clinics, workplace program, books, products, and telephone coaching. Lindora is a member of the Partnership for Healthy Weight Management, a coalition composed of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Federal Trade Commission, Centers for Disease Control, and the National Institutes of Health. For more information visit www.lindora.com.

About Atherotech

Atherotech is dedicated to improving the early diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases that kill nearly 1 million Americans each year. The company's VAP Test is available nationwide through national and regional diagnostic laboratories and is reimbursed by most payors, including Medicare. Samples are processed in Atherotech's state-of-the-art laboratory in Birmingham. The VAP Test was named one of "five tests worth paying for" by The Wall Street Journal. In addition, Forbes.com selected the VAP Test as one of "ten ways to live longer." For more information, visit www.thevaptest.com.

Source: Business Wire

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