Cardiac Risk Markers Test

Cardiac Risk Markers - Importance

Heart is a four-chambered fistsized muscular organ. It is assigned multiple responsibilities including fulfilling oxygen and nutrient requirements of cells along with removal of waste byproducts like carbon dioxide and other elements. The heart, also called 'Myocardium', pumps continuously for ensuring ceaseless nutritional supply for maintaining cellular functions. A minute halt in the nutritional supply, hinders cellular activity leading to numerous ailments that prove fatal; making it imperative to monitor cardiac health at regular intervals.

Assessing the functioning of an organ that works round-the-clock is not as simple as it sounds. Few molecules, called 'Cardiac Risk Markers' serve as indicators for an individual's risk of heart disease.

Cardiac Risk Markers- What to know?

Disease development is a slow process taking a few months to maybe years. Our body secretes certain molecules while suffering any cardiac injury or stress for corrective healing action. The amount of these molecules is directly proportional to the damage severity making them excellent indicators of cardiac events; hence the name, 'Cardiac Risk Markers'.

These markers are already present in the body in low levels, but fluctuate during cardiovascular diseases or post myocardial damage. They aid in preventive, diagnostic, prognostic (disease development) as well as therapeutic monitoring (treatment). Every application demands distinct markers with certain features. Let's understand the basic features and then move to gain knowledge about cardiac risk markers

Understanding Cardiac Risk Markers

Every marker plays a vital role in aiding a Cardiologist understand an individual's risk factor or cardiac disease. Let us try to understand few markers and their role in disease detection.

Lipoprotein (a)

Lipoprotein (a) or Lp(a) is a lowdensity cholesterol-rich complex, made of two molecules: lipoprotein (LDL) and Apolipoprotein [Apo(A)]. The main characteristics of Lp(a) are that it is genetically determined and is unaffected by lifestyle changes. Elevated levels of Lp(a) are associated with Cardiovascular diseases, stroke, atherosclerosis, heart attack, etc.

Apolipoprotein A1

Apolipoprtein A1 or Apo A1, encoded by gene APOA1, is a major highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) associated with accumulated fat transport to liver. Higher levels of ApoA1 are related with lower risk of heart attacks whereas, higher levels indicate risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.

Apolipoprotein B

Apolipoprotein B or ApoB, encoded by gene APOB, is associated with low and very low-density lipoprotein as well as chylomicrons. It is produced in the intestines (ApoB-48) and liver (ApoB-100) having the function of cholesterol movement within the body. Higher levels of ApoB indicate higher risk of stroke or heart diseases.

Apolipoprotein B to Apolipoprotein A1

The ratio- ApoB/ApoA1 is regarded as a strong predictor of myocardial infarction or heart attack risk.

C-reactive Protein

C-reactive protein or CRP, a plasma protein synthesized by the liver aids in infection and inflammation detection. Lower CRP levels indicate low risk of myocardial infarction, cardiovascular diseases or stroke.

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FAQs around cardiac risk markers Test

What is cardiac markers in the blood test?

Cardiac biomarkers are substances that are released into the blood when the heart is damaged or stressed.

What are the types of heart diseases?

Cardiovascular disease incorporates coronary artery diseases, for example, angina and myocardial infarction or heart attack and different conditions like stroke, innate coronary illness, cardiovascular failure, rheumatic coronary illness, cardiomyopathy, heart arrhythmia and hypertensive coronary disease. 90% of heart diseases are preventable.

What are the other factors involved in developing heart disease?

Factors that play a part in expanded danger of coronary illness are age, smoking, alcoholism, family background of coronary disease, obesity, diabetes, diet, exercise, feelings of anxiety and blood pressure..

Why is a cardiac marker test done?

Cardiac risk markers blood test are utilized for the analysis and risk delineation of patients with chest pain and suspected intense coronary condition (ACS) .

What does high apolipoprotein B mean?

High Apolipoprotein B Levels. Undeniable levels of ApoB relate to more significant levels of "bad" cholesterol.

What does lipoprotein a test for?

A lipoprotein (a) test is utilized to check for risk of stroke, coronary failure, or other heart sicknesses. It's a standard test. It is typically simply given to individuals who have specific danger factors, like a family background of coronary illness.

What does apolipoprotein A1 test for?

This test estimates the measure of apolipoprotein A in your blood. It helps your doctor identify your danger for cardiovascular disease.

Can a blood test show cardiac risk?

It's important to remember that one blood test alone doesn't decide your danger of coronary illness.

What is the most important blood test for cardiac risk assessment?

Blood test for cardiac risk assessment are Apo B / Apo A1 Ratio (Apo B/a1), Apolipoprotein - A1 (Apo-a1), Apolipoprotein - B (Apo-b), High Sensitivity C-reactive Protein (Hs-crp), Lipoprotein (a) [lp(a)]

What is a good cardiac risk score?

A proportion more noteworthy than 4.5 is viewed as a high danger for coronary illness. The proportion might be diminished by elevating your good (HDL) cholesterol or decreasing your bad (LDL) cholesterol.