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Episodes
Monday Sep 08, 2025
Monday Sep 08, 2025
In this episode of Healthier World designed to give you instant insights, we introduce the Cleveland HeartLab and its role as a Center of Excellence for cardiometabolic, endocrine, and wellness testing at Quest Diagnostics. In this episode, Dr. Maeson Latsko hosts a segment featuring various leaders from Cleveland HeartLab and Quest Diagnostics, including Marc Penn, MD, PhD, Mouris Saghir, PhD, Tim Collier, PhD and Jim Davis. They discuss their mission to improve heart disease prevention and associated metabolic conditions through cutting-edge research and personalized care.
This episode will
Discuss the need for better chronic disease prevention (1:40)
Review the cardiometabolic approach to healthcare (2:15)
Highlight the technology behind Cleveland Heartlab testing (2:45)
Introduce Cleveland Heart Lab as the center of excellence (3:30)
To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.
Date: 8/2025
Speaker(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD
Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD; Trisha Winchester, PhD, Millicent Kee, NP
Monday Aug 18, 2025
Monday Aug 18, 2025
Obesity affects over 40% of adults in the United States. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, a class of medications initially developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, have shown significant efficacy in promoting weight loss and are increasingly prescribed for obesity management. In today’s episode, Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC, Clinical and Education Specialist, and Patty Bianchi, MS, RDN, CDCES, Clinical Educator at Quest Diagnostics Center of Excellence at Cleveland HeartLab, will discuss GLP-1 receptor agonists, their actions in the body, and the important role of nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle alongside these medications.
This episode will
Discuss the actions of GLP-1 receptor agonists in the body (1:38)
Discuss how GLP-1s influence appetite and hunger (3:18)
Discuss the role of nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle while on GLP-1 therapy (6:38)
Discuss how weight loss may also improve cardiometabolic health and lower insulin resistance utilizing a patient example (18:00)
To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.
Date: 8/2025
Speaker(s): Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC; Patricia Bianchi, MS, RDN, CDCES
Contributor(s): Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC; Patricia Bianchi, MS, RDN, CDCES; Maeson Latsko, PhD; Trisha Winchester, PhD
Additional Resources
Quest Diagnostics Clinical Education Center [Link]
References:
Neff LM, Kushner RF. Emerging role of GLP-1 receptor agonists in the treatment of obesity. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2010 Jul 20; 3:263-73. doi: 10.2147/dmsott. s6816
Stierman B, Afful J, Carroll MD, et al. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017–March 2020 prepandemic data files development of files and prevalence estimates for selected health outcomes. Natl Health Stat Report. 2021;158. doi: 10.15620/cdc:106273
Related Content:
FAQ
CardioIQ® Insulin Resistance Panel with Score | Quest Diagnostics
Additional Resources
Weight management and cardiometabolic health | Quest Diagnostics
Audio Podcast
Instant Insight: Metabolic Risk Panel | Quest Diagnostics
Action From Insight: Tackling Insulin Resistance | Quest Diagnostics
Conference Presentation
Measures of Insulin Resistance (IR) Increase with Increasing BMI in a Population of Normoglycemic Working Adults | Quest Diagnostics
On-Demand Webinar
Detecting and Managing Insulin Resistance | Quest Diagnostics
Monday Aug 04, 2025
Monday Aug 04, 2025
In this special episode of Healthier World designed to give you Instant Insights, we review a panel that takes a deeper look at cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, endocrine, and metabolic health—a network of systems that work together to determine a person’s long-term health. Today we will break down what this panel includes and how it can help prevent the onset of chronic disease years before symptoms start.
This episode will
Explain why this panel was created (1:10)
Examine how the panel provides a comprehensive view of cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, renal, and hepatic risk (3:35)
Discuss the clinical relevance of this panel in prevention screening and risk stratification for cardiometabolic conditions (5:30)
To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.
Date: 8/2025
Speaker(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD
Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD; Trisha Winchester, PhD; Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC; Kathryn Morales; Abhi Patel
Resources
Quest Diagnostics Clinical Education Center [Link]
Podcast: The Cardiometabolic approach to modern disease risk assessment
Ordering information:
Cardiometabolic Disease Assessment (CMDA) Panel | Test Detail | Quest Diagnostics
Monday Jul 14, 2025
Monday Jul 14, 2025
In this special episode of Healthier World designed to give you Instant Insights, we explore a vascular-specific inflammatory marker that can indicate risk for cardiometabolic disease and all-cause mortality—myeloperoxidase. In this episode, we break down the biology and function of MPO, its contribution to vascular inflammation, and its potential as a biomarker of vulnerable soft plaque in the arteries.
This episode will
Define myeloperoxidase (MPO) and describe its biological function (1:20)
Explain the relationship between MPO and vascular inflammation (2:15)
Recognize the role of MPO in cardiometabolic disease (2:55)
Review treatment considerations for elevated MPO (3:45)
The content was current as of the time of recording. To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.
Date: 7/2025
Speaker(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD
Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD; Trisha Winchester, PhD; Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC
Additional Resources
Ordering information:
MPO ordering information
MPO Test Summary
Quest Diagnostics Clinical Education Center [Link]
References:
Iakoubova OA, Haji-Sheikhi F, Louie JZ, et al. Association of MPO levels with cardiometabolic disease stratified by atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk and intensity of therapy in a workforce population. Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):12244. Published 2025 Apr 10. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-89373-7
Monday Jun 30, 2025
Monday Jun 30, 2025
Inflammation plays a critical role in cardiometabolic diseases, but traditional risk markers like LDL-C and hs-CRP don’t tell the whole story. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), an enzyme linked to oxidative stress and immune activation, may offer a deeper look into hidden cardiovascular and metabolic risk. In this episode, Dr Marc Penn unpacks the new research examining the association between MPO and the risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) across atherogenic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk groups and what it might mean for prevention and tailored treatment.
This episode will
Define MPO (1:30, 5:00)
Explain the role of MPO as an inflammatory biomarker and how it differs from traditional cardiometabolic risk markers (2:00)
Reveal relationships between MPO, CKD, and NAFLD (7:00)
Outline how providers can use MPO to enhance risk stratification and personalize treatment strategies (9:25)
Inform listeners on the importance of early detection and prevention of risk factors for cardiometabolic risk (13:00)
The content was current as of the time of recording. To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.
Date: 6/2025
Speaker(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD; Dr Marc Penn
Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD; Trisha Winchester, PhD; Kathryn Morales, MS
Additional Resources
Ordering information
MPO ordering information
Quest Diagnostics Clinical Education Center [Link]
References
Iakoubova OA, Haji-Sheikhi F, Louie JZ, et al. Association of MPO levels with cardiometabolic disease stratified by atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk and intensity of therapy in a workforce population. Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):12244. Published 2025 Apr 10. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-89373-7
Monday Jun 16, 2025
Monday Jun 16, 2025
In this special episode of Healthier World designed to give you Instant Insights, we dive into advanced lipid testing—going beyond a standard lipid panel. Today, we will explore two powerful tools used to look at lipoprotein fractionation: ion mobility and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). We will look at how these tests work and how they can uncover hidden risk for cardiovascular disease.
This episode will
Expand on the importance of lipoprotein fractionation by ion mobility and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (1:15)
Interpret key lipid analytes provided using two methodologies, NMR and ion mobility, as they relate to cardiovascular disease risk (LDL: 3:00, HDL: 4:40, VLDL: 5:30, LDL pattern and LDL peak size: 6:00)
Evaluate report analytes and risk cut points between methods (6:45)
The content was current as of the time of recording. To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.
Date: 6/2025
Speaker(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD
Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD; Trisha Winchester, PhD; Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC; Abhi Patel
Additional Resources
Ordering information:
Quest Diagnostics Clinical Education Center [Link]
Fractionation, Ion Mobility
Fractionation, NMR
References:
Cromwell WC, Otvos JD, Keyes MJ, et al. LDL Particle Number and Risk of Future Cardiovascular Disease in the Framingham Offspring Study - Implications for LDL Management. J Clin Lipidol. 2007;1(6):583-592. doi:10.1016/j.jacl.2007.10.001
German CA, Shapiro MD. Assessing Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk with Advanced Lipid Testing: State of the Science. Eur Cardiol. 2020;15:e56. doi:10.15420/ecr.2019.18
Quesada JA, Bertomeu-González V, Orozco-Beltrán D, et al. The benefits of measuring the size and number of lipoprotein particles for cardiovascular risk prediction: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Investig Arterioscler. 2023;35(4):165-177. doi:10.1016/j.arteri.2022.11.001
Monday Jun 02, 2025
Monday Jun 02, 2025
In this special episode of Healthier World designed to give you Instant Insights, we take a look at primary aldosteronism (PA)- an often underdiagnosed, yet prevalent cause of hypertension. In this episode, we challenge traditional screening methods and introduce a streamlined diagnostic approach. By recognizing the signs of Primary Aldosteronism earlier, providers can improve patient outcomes and avoid increased risk for cardiovascular and metabolic conditions associated with untreated PA.
This episode will
Explain the mechanisms underlying PA and how they disrupt the normal renin-aldosterone feedback system (1:15)
Highlight the limitations of traditional methodology, including the aldosterone-renin-ratio (ARR) (2:25)
Introduce a streamlined approach focused on the detection of suppressed renin followed by evaluation of aldosterone levels (3:00)
Walk through an example comparing the ARR with the suppressed renin approach for assessing PA (5:05)
The content was current as of the time of recording. To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.
Date: 6/2025
Speaker(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD
Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD; Trisha Winchester, PhD; Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC; Akhil Singh
Additional Resources:
https://www.questdiagnostics.com/healthcare-professionals/about-our-tests/endocrine-disorders/primary-aldosteronism
Ordering information:
Plasma Renin Activity with Reflex to Aldosterone | Test Detail | Quest Diagnostics
References:
Marcelli M, Bi C, Funder JW, McPhaul MJ. Comparing ARR Versus Suppressed PRA as Screening Tests for Primary Aldosteronism. Hypertension. 2024;81(10):2072-2081. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.124.22884
Dogra P, Bancos I, Young WF Jr. Primary Aldosteronism: A Pragmatic Approach to Diagnosis and Management. Mayo Clin Proc. 2023;98(8):1207-1215. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2023.04.023
Monday May 12, 2025
Monday May 12, 2025
Understanding the diagnosis and treatment in primary aldosteronism (PA) often feels elusive to most providers. PA is marked by the elevation of aldosterone and the suppression of renin leading to a disproportionately higher risk of cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic disease compared to those patients with essential hypertension, yet this condition is often undiagnosed. This episode will discuss the use of the Plasma Renin Activity lab to screen for primary aldosteronism and guideline-directed care of PA. In today’s episode, Maeson Latsko, PhD and Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC, Clinical and Education Specialists at Quest Diagnostics Center of Excellence at Cleveland Heartlab, will discuss the next steps in care once primary aldosteronism has been identified.
This episode will
Discuss the prevalence of PA and its impact on health (1:30)
Discuss use of the PRA lab to screen for PA (4:15)
Review current diagnosis and treatment guidelines for PA (mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) treatment: 6:50, MRA considerations: 13:00)
Discuss how providers can utilize current treatment guidelines (referral: 9:45, imaging: 11:00, surgical evaluation: 11:45)
The content was current as of the time of recording. To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.
Date: 5/2025
Speaker(s): Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC; Maeson Latsko, PhD
Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD; Millicent Kee; MSN, FNP-BC; Trisha Winchester, PhD; Sanjay Dixit, MD; Akhil Singh
Additional Resources
Ordering information:
Quest Diagnostics Clinical Education Center [Link]
Plasma Renin Activity with Reflex to Aldosterone | Test Detail | Quest Diagnostics
https://www.questdiagnostics.com/healthcare-professionals/about-our-tests/endocrine-disorders/primary-aldosteronism
References:
Auchus RJ. Approaching Primary Aldosteronism as a Common Disease. Endocr Pract. 2023;29(12):994-998. doi:10.1016/j.eprac. 2023.08.014
Brown JM, Tsai LC, Abel EE, et al. Nationwide, Pragmatic, Direct-to-Patient Primary Aldosteronism Testing Program. Hypertension. 2025 Feb 21. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.125.24648.
Funder JW, Carey RM, Mantero F, et al. The Management of Primary Aldosteronism: Case Detection, Diagnosis, and Treatment: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016;101(5):1889-1916. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-4061
Marcelli M, Bi C, Funder JW, McPhaul MJ. Comparing ARR Versus Suppressed PRA as Screening Tests for Primary Aldosteronism. Hypertension. 2024;81(10):2072-2081. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.124.22884
Friday Apr 25, 2025
Friday Apr 25, 2025
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in men and women, yet 45% of women don’t know it’s their leading cause of death. A staggering 71% of women never discuss heart health with their physicians. This episode will explore this gender disparity and elucidate why women carry unique risk for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Today’s episode is with clinical educators Trisha Winchester, PhD and Maeson Latsko, PhD.
This episode will
Discuss the gender gap in cardiovascular disease (1:15)
Review risk factors for CVD that are unique to women (4:00), such as PCOS (6:00), adverse pregnancy outcomes (9:00, gestational diabetes: 13:00, pre-eclampsia 15:15), and menopause (19:30)
Review what laboratory tools providers can utilize to better indicate and track risk in women overtime (14:30, 17:45)
To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings, as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.
Date: 04/2025
Speaker(s): Trisha Winchester, PhD; Maeson Latsko, PhD
Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD; Trisha Winchester, PhD; Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC; Abhi Patel
Additional Resources:
Women in CV risk article
References:
Cardiovascular Disease and Breast Cancer: Where These Entities Intersect: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2019;140(9):e543. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000728
Vilmi-Kerälä T, Palomäki O, Vainio M, Uotila J, Palomäki A. The risk of metabolic syndrome after gestational diabetes mellitus - a hospital-based cohort study. Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2015;7:43. Published 2015 May 12. doi:10.1186/s13098-015-0038-z
Vounzoulaki E, Khunti K, Abner SC, Tan BK, Davies MJ, Gillies CL. Progression to type 2 diabetes in women with a known history of gestational diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2020;369:m1361. Published 2020 May 13. doi:10.1136/bmj.m1361
Kramer CK, Campbell S, Retnakaran R. Gestational diabetes and the risk of cardiovascular disease in women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetologia. 2019;62(6):905-914. doi:10.1007/s00125-019-4840-2
Brown MC, Best KE, Pearce MS, Waugh J, Robson SC, Bell R. Cardiovascular disease risk in women with pre-eclampsia: systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Epidemiol. 2013;28(1):1-19. doi:10.1007/s10654-013-9762-6
Leslie MS, Briggs LA. Preeclampsia and the Risk of Future Vascular Disease and Mortality: A Review. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2016;61(3):315-324. doi:10.1111/jmwh.12469
PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and diabetes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed March 24, 2020. Accessed August 18, 2022.https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/pcos.html
Friday Mar 14, 2025
Friday Mar 14, 2025
Approximately 120 million people in the US have hypertension, which is about half of the adult population. Identifying the mechanisms that cause hypertension is crucial for the proper treatment of patients, yet 9 out of 10 patients do not know the origin of their hypertension. New research reveals that up to 30% of patients suffer from hypertension due to primary aldosteronism (PA). With less than 1% of patients with hypertension being screened for hypertension, today’s episode is designed to bring awareness to PA and discuss the breakthrough research that may help drive screening for PA. Today’s episode is with Maeson Latsko, PhD, Clinical and Education Specialist at Quest Diagnostics Center of Excellence at Cleveland Heartlab, Dr Sanjay Dixit, and Dr Marco Marcelli, board certified endocrinologists and medical directors with Quest Diagnostics.
This episode will
Define hypertension and PA (3:30, 6:15)
Describe the intricate link between hypertension and PA (5:40)
Review current screening tools for PA (6:35)
Discuss how novel research can capture even more patients with hypertension due to PA (9:50)
Discuss who should be screened for PA (17:15)
Outline how a diagnosis of PA can influence treatment considerations (18:50)
To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.
Date: 3/2025
Speaker(s): Sanjay Dixit, MD; Marco Marcelli, MD; Maeson Latsko, PhD
Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD, Trisha Winchester, PhD; Sanjay Dixit, MD; Marco Marcelli, MD; Maeson Latsko, PhD; Akhil Singh
Additional Resources:
https://www.questdiagnostics.com/healthcare-professionals/about-our-tests/endocrine-disorders/primary-aldosteronism
Ordering information:
Plasma Renin Activity with Reflex to Aldosterone | Test Detail | Quest Diagnostics
References:
Marcelli M, Bi C, Funder JW, McPhaul MJ. Comparing ARR Versus Suppressed PRA as Screening Tests for Primary Aldosteronism. Hypertension. 2024;81(10):2072-2081. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.124.22884
Brown JM, Siddiqui M, Calhoun DA, Carey RM, Hopkins PN, Williams GH, Vaidya A. The unrecognized prevalence of primary aldosteronism: a cross-sectional study. Ann Intern Med. 2020;173:10–20. doi: 10.7326/M20-0065
Vaidya A, Hundemer GL, Nanba K, Parksook WW, Brown JM. Primary Aldosteronism: State-of-the-Art Review. Am J Hypertens. 2022;35(12):967-988. doi:10.1093/ajh/hpac079
Auchus RJ. Approaching Primary Aldosteronism as a Common Disease. Endocr Pract. 2023;29(12):994-998. doi:10.1016/j.eprac.2023.08.014
Ostchega Y, Fryar CD, Nwankwo T, et al. Hypertension Prevalence Among Adults Aged 18 and over: United States, 2017-2018. April 2020. Accessed November 20, 2024. Products - Data Briefs - Number 364 - April 2020
Dogra P, Bancos I, Young WF Jr. Primary Aldosteronism: A Pragmatic Approach to Diagnosis and Management. Mayo Clin Proc. 2023;98(8):1207-1215. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2023.04.023
Funder JW, Carey RM, Mantero F, et al. The Management of Primary Aldosteronism: Case Detection, Diagnosis, and Treatment: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016;101(5):1889-1916. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-4061