MOST HELPFUL BLOOD TESTS to ASSESS YOUR Cardiovascular Risk
Regular blood testing is one of the most important ways to keep track of your overall physical well-being. Getting tested at routine intervals can allow you to see the way your body changes over time and empower you to make informed decisions about your health.
Some blood tests can help your doctor determine how different organs in your body are working. Your doctor can also use blood tests to search for markers of diseases and health conditions. Even if a person does not have heart disease, a blood test can show whether they may be at risk of developing the condition.
- 1. Fasting glucose
- 2. Fasting insulin
- 3. Fasting HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and Triglycerides
- 4. HbA1c
- 5. Vitamin B12
- 6. Homocysteine
- 7. High sensitivity or ultra-sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP)
- 8. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
- 9. Cortisol
- 10. Magnesium and other mineral and vitamin levels
- 11. Iron levels
1. Fasting glucose
Higher than normal fasting glucose levels indicates Diabetes or pre Diabetes.
2. Fasting insulin
Patients need to fast at least 9 to 12 hours before the blood for drawn. It is a helpful biomarker to evaluate for insulin resistance. The lower the fasting insulin levels, the better.
Increased insulin resistance plays a role in many aging-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and type 2 diabetes. High insulin resistance usually accelerates aging.
3. Fasting HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and Triglycerides
These are fats circulating in the blood, and their levels is used to assess your cardiovascular risk. The lower the ratio of LDL versus HDL, the better. Some cardiologists believe that fasting triglycerides are a more significant risk factor for heart disease than increased cholesterol levels.
4. HbA1c
It is a measure for glycation: the more glycation, the faster the body ages and the higher the risk of cardiovascular and other age-related diseases.
5. Vitamin B12
Low levels of vitamin B12 are often associated with higher total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglycerides. Macrocytosis associated with vitamin B12 deficiency is also associated with fatal and non-fatal coronary disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, and other circulatory health problems.
6. Homocysteine
Deficiencies in vitamin B12 and other B vitamins can also lead to increased homocysteine, which leads to insufficient methylation in the body, increasing the risk of heart attacks and stroke, among other diseases. Each 5-μmol/L increase above 10 μmol/L of serum homocysteine is associated with a 20% increased risk of circulatory health problems.
7. High sensitivity or ultra-sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP)
A measure of inflammation. Low-grade inflammation accelerates aging and increases the risk of cardiac and age-related diseases.
8. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
This biomarker detects thyroid abnormalities, including the most common manifestation, hypothyroidism (a slow thyroid gland).
9. Cortisol
Cortisol levels are measured in the blood to assess Cardiovascular risk. High cortisol levels from long-term stress can increase blood cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar, and blood pressure. These are common risk factors for heart disease. This stress can also cause changes that promote the buildup of plaque deposits in the arteries.
10. Magnesium and other mineral and vitamin levels
Low magnesium levels in the blood are associated with inflammation and disturbances in the regulation of vascular tone and endothelial function. These mechanisms could contribute to the development and progression of atherosclerosis, potentially worsening coronary artery disease. Magnesium is also known for its role in the heart’s electrical stability and energy balance. Low magnesium levels are a risk factor for sudden cardiac death (SCD).
11. Iron levels
Iron deficiency is measured in multiple ways, like iron levels, proteins involved in iron metabolism and transport (transferrin, ferritin), and the size and amount of red blood cells or HCT (hematocrit).
Researchers have found that people with functional iron deficiency are about 25% more likely to get coronary heart disease. They were also more likely to die from heart attacks or other cardiovascular causes.
