Lokahi Longevity pushes universal hs-CRP screening in Hawaii

Lokahi Longevity is promoting universal hs-CRP testing after the American College of Cardiology urged all adults 20 and older to get screened for inflammation-linked cardiovascular risk. The Honolulu clinic is offering access to the test for $20.50 as it argues cholesterol alone misses important heart attack and stroke risk.

Why it matters: - hs-CRP testing can help identify cardiovascular inflammation risk that standard cholesterol testing may miss. - Lokahi Longevity is using a low-cost screening offer to push earlier detection of heart attack and stroke risk. - The move aligns with the American College of Cardiology’s call for broader inflammation screening in cardiovascular prevention.

What happened: - Lokahi Longevity launched an advocacy program supporting universal hs-CRP testing for cardiovascular inflammation risk. - The Honolulu clinic is offering access to hs-CRP testing through a diagnostic lab in Hawaii for $20.50. - The program follows a recent Scientific Statement from the American College of Cardiology. - The ACC recommends hs-CRP testing for all adults age 20 and older for primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

The details: - hs-CRP is a blood test used to evaluate systemic inflammation tied to major adverse cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke. - The ACC said chronic, silent, low-grade inflammation plays a pivotal role in plaque formation, plaque progression, rupture and thrombogenesis that can lead to acute coronary syndrome. - Clinical data from the CANTOS and JUPITER trials supported the importance of measuring hs-CRP across different patient populations. - The ACC said the evidence linking inflammation with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is now compelling and clinically actionable. - David G. Watumull, chairman and co-founder of Lokahi Longevity, said many people assume a standard lipid panel tells the whole story of cardiovascular risk. - Watumull said inflammation is typically not measured in routine blood work and may not be covered by insurance for prevention of major adverse cardiovascular events. - Lokahi Longevity said it receives no economic benefit from the discounted testing arrangement. - The clinic is also offering a complimentary first-step consultation for people who want help understanding inflammaging and cardiovascular health. - Lokahi Longevity is located in Honolulu at Kapiolani Medical Center and focuses on healthspan, advanced diagnostics, biomarkers and personalized protocols.

Between the lines: - The clinic is positioning inflammation screening as a shift from reactive care to prevention-focused care. - Hawaii’s long life expectancy gives Lokahi Longevity a local public-health angle for promoting earlier cardiovascular risk detection. - Jack Lewin, MD, administrator of the Hawaii State Health Planning and Development Agency and former ACC CEO, said he supports universal hs-CRP testing for adults to identify cardiovascular risk early. - Lewin said Gov. Josh Green and his office support disease prevention as the foundation for healthier Hawaii residents.

What’s next: - Lokahi Longevity is urging patients to ask primary care physicians to add hs-CRP to routine blood panels. - The clinic is encouraging doctors and patients to seek specialized consultation if they need help interpreting hs-CRP results or addressing chronic inflammation. - People seeking the consultation can email shirley@lokahilongevity.com or call 808-723-5459.

The bottom line: - Lokahi Longevity is trying to make inflammation screening as routine as cholesterol testing, betting that earlier hs-CRP checks can improve prevention of cardiovascular disease.