Critical Bloodwork

KIF6

The kinesin-like family 6 (KIF6) gene was identified as a potential risk factor for CAD. Studies have suggested that this SNP may be predictive of a response to statin therapy. The potential patient populations for KIF6 testing include CAD patients with or without a family history of CAD or myocardial infarction (MI), and patients considering statin therapy.

9P21

9P21 remains the most widely recognized and replicated genetic risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) to date. It is an independent marker of cardiovascular risk, independently associated with the development of heart disease (CAD) and the likelihood of a heart attack. 9P21 carriers have a 56% increased lifetime risk of a heart attack and a higher risk for severe, multi-vessel arterial disease.

4q25

Variants of 4q25 are associated with atrial fibrillation. This risk allele variant is found in 30% of Caucasian population and 70% of Chinese population. Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained cardiac rhythm disturbance, affecting more than 2 million Americans.

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE)

ApoE genotype influences lifetime risk for coronary heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as how your body metabolizes nutrients in your diet, including fats, carbohydrates, protein and even alcohol. It also aids in understanding how the body responds to exercise. The ApoE gene has three variants (E2, E3, and E4). Individuals with Apo E2 or Apo E4 carry higher lifetime cardiovascular risk.

Haptoglobin

This protein in the blood helps protect from some heart-related complications of diabetes unless it's impaired. It's function is to eliminate free hemoglobin and neutralize oxidative damage which can trigger atherosclerosis. Diabetics with the Haptoglobin (Hp) 2-2 genotype are at increased risk of CVD. Antioxidant Vitamin E could help neutralize oxidative stress & increase cardiovascular protection to Hp 2-2 DM individuals. Serum free hemoglobin blood test, which measures the level of free hemoglobin is a good indicator whether a diabetic might have a Haptoglobin variation and should consider the Haptoglobin blood test. Diabetic patients with Hp2 genotype have a 5x greater risk of a heart attack than those with Hp1. Knowing a patient’s variant can provide clinicians guidance on measures to reduce heart attack and stroke risk.

Basic Lipid Panel: Total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides. It's what your doctor typically performs during annual exams but it's important to have as a baseline alongside these more advanced tests.

Lp(a)

This biomarker let's you know if you have a genetic predisposition for vascular diseases. It's a particle in the blood which carries cholesterol, fats and proteins. High levels of it increase your risk for a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries (atherosclerosis). A genetic variation can be inherited that leads 1 in 5 people to have high levels.

Apolipoprotein (ApoB)

The Apolipoprotein B's are proteins found in lipoprotein particles that are artery-clogging.

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

The HbA1c test reveals average level of blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. Elevated glucose levels cause damage to blood vessels.

Glucose

Provides information about your sugar levels at time of testing.

hsCRP

This biomarker can fluctuate quite a bit depending on your environment, what you eat, and other factors. But it's worth monitoring so you can adapt your environment, what you eat, and other factors to see if it changes. You may even have an underlying infection we aren't aware of such as a sinus infection or UTI which could be triggering an inflammatory response.

Lp-PLA2

Let's drill down a bit more to see if you have inflammation in your arteries specifically. That's telling as to whether or not you have plaque building up on your artery walls. Lp-PLA2 is an enzyme produced by the body in response to inflammation in the arteries. A PLAC blood test can help identify plaque build-up that could lead to narrowing in arteries.

(You can order Lp-PLA2 as a stand alone test as well)

This protein in the blood helps protects from some heart-related complications of diabetes unless it's impaired. It's function is to eliminate free hemoglobin and neutralize oxidative damage which can trigger atherosclerosis. Diabetics with the Haptoglobin (Hp) 2-2 genotype are at increased risk of CVD. Antioxidant Vitamin E could help neutralize oxidative stress & increase cardiovascular protection to Hp 2-2 DM individuals. Serum free hemoglobin blood test, which measures the level of free hemoglobin is a good indicator whether a diabetic might have a Haptoglobin variation and should consider the Haptoglobin blood test.