Cardiovascular Risk Profile

OVERVIEW:

Cardiovascular risk is more than just lipids! For the last decade, we’ve all heard about homocysteine and cardiovascular risk; more recently, researchers tell us that inflammation may be the most important risk factor. For men, low testosterone is a definite cardiovascular risk; for both sexes, free radicals, clotting factors, anti-oxidants, red cell magnesium levels, and fasting insulin levels are all important.This comprehensive but reasonably priced panel is ideal both for initial assessment and for following the success of therapies.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Total Cholesterol:

Most useful in risk assessment when compared to HDL. Low total cholesterol is a risk factor for depression.

LDL Cholesterol:

Major atherogenic lipoprotein.

HDL Cholesterol:

Shuttles lipids back to the liver. Higher levels are desirable.

Triglycerides:

Increasingly recognized as a key marker in cardiac health. Hyper-triglyceridemia is associated with insulin resistance.

Lipoprotein (a):

Level correlates to risk of cerebro-vascular disease.

Coenzyme Q10:

Critical for mitochondrial ATP production. Formation inhibited by “statin” drugs.

Vitamin E:

Well recognized as a cardio-protective antioxidant.

Red Blood Cell Magnesium:

Magnesium deficiency correlates with hypertension and insulin resistance.Homocysteine: Increased homocysteine is atherogenic and is associated with inadequate intake of Vitamin B6, B12 and folate.

Lipid Peroxides:

Assesses oxygen free radical damage to unsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes.

C-Reactive Protein:

General inflammatory marker which may be elevated in sub-clinical cardiovascular disease.

Fibrinogen:

Elevated level may denote ongoing vascular inflammation.

Fasting Insulin:

Elevated fasting insulin may identify insulin resistant patients.

Free Testosterone:

Sixty years of research support the beneficial influence of Free Testosterone on cardiac and vascular health.

This panel is tremendously useful for identification of those at risk for cardiovascular and other conditions. With 14 parameters of interest and our low cost per parameter, Meridian Valley Laboratory’s Cardiovascular Risk Assessment Panel is a bargain that should not be passed up by prevention-oriented physicians.