Atherosclerosis Profile - 3

Atherosclerosis test is basically done to assess the status of the blood vessels of the heart and the risk of cardiac diseases, stroke, and peripheral vascular diseases. The cholesterol tests measure the levels of individual cholesterols in the blood. Lp (a) serum test is prescribed to understand how well the cholesterol is transported in the body. This gives a more detailed idea of the risk of heart diseases than the routine cholesterol screening and may help in early detection of potential cardiovascular problem. Apolipoproteins B/A is a test that can help predict cardiovascular risk in patients. It gives a more detailed idea of the risk of heart diseases than the routine cholesterol screening. Lp-pla2: It is a vascular-specific inflammatory biomarker providing information on risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is useful in cases of early stage heart diseases, family history of hypercholesterolemia and blood vessel diseases having normal triglycerides and total cholesterol levels. Homocysteine: Homocysteine is a type of amino acid used to make proteins. Vitamin B12, vitamin B6, and folic acid helps to break down homocysteine and change it into other substances your body needs. Abnormal homocysteine levels increase the predisposition to heart diseases. HsCRP: C Reactive Protein is an acute phase reactant in inflammation. High-sensitivity CRP is a useful test for determining risk of CVD, heart attacks, and strokes and evaluating a person before development of one of these health problems.

Atherosclerosis profile-3 test detects the potential development of plaque in the heart vessels and helps prevent a heart attack. The profile includes testing for:

• Lipoprotein (a): Lipoprotein (a) provides a bigger picture of cholesterol density in the bigger vessels. It includes LDL levels and helps detect the risk of immediate cardiovascular diseases.
• Apolipoproteins B/A-1: A ratio of apolipoprotein B and A1 helps detect cardiovascular disease risks better than routine cholesterol screening in vulnerable patients.
• Lp-PLA2: This cardiovascular-specific marker detects the potential build-up of plaque in heart vessels. It serves as an early warning for CVD issues. 
• Homocysteine: This amino acid is produced when proteins in the body are broken down. This is utilized by the body to produce other chemicals. Its presence in abnormal levels suggests underlying cardiac ailments.
• Hs-CRP: High sensitivity C-reactive protein test provides a diagnosis for underlying inflammation. It helps detect various health problems, including cardiac issues like CHD, atherosclerosis, and heart attack.

The test measures the Cholesterol-Total, HDL, Non HDL, LDL, VLDL and Triglycerides, Lp(a), Apolipoproteins B/A1, Lp-PLA2, HsCRP, Homocysteine levels in the blood.

This test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.

A phlebotomist will extract blood samples through IV after fastening a tourniquet on your upper arm to enhance the cubital vein from underneath. The site of injection will be cleaned with cotton dipped in alcohol. You will be asked to make a fist to fill the vein with blood so that it may be collected easily by inserting a needle into the vein. Next, the blood will be drawn, collected into a vacutainer, and sent for lab analysis

Maintaining lipid levels within the desirable ranges helps lower risk of heart attacks and stroke. Low HDL levels (below acceptable levels) are associated with increased risk for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) . High levels of Non HDL Cholesterol (above acceptable levels) are associated with increased risk for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). High lipoprotein (a) levels lead to cholesterol being deposited in the arterial walls which causes thickening or clogging of the arterial walls also known as ""atherosclerosis"". This disrupts the flow of blood to the heart and other vital organs. This increases the risk of heart diseases, strokes, and other peripheral arterial diseases. High B/A1 ratio increases the risk of heart diseases. Low ratio may reduce the risk of cardiac diseases and stroke. Apo-B/A1 ratio is a more specific test that gives a clearer picture of the risk of heart diseases as compared to routine cholesterol tests. High Lp- PLA2 levels may indicate need for more aggressive lipid lowering therapy to reduce the risk of CVD events. Patient with high levels are prone to rupture of plaque and associated cardiovascular events Low levels may mean that Lp- PLA2 levels are not contributing to the heart disease. High Homocysteine levels is also an important marker for risk assessment of coronary artery disease. High HsCRP is a sensitive predictor of increased cardiovascular risk in both men and women. It is used for assessment of risk of developing Myocardial infarction in patients presenting with Acute coronary syndrome. It also assesses risk of developing Cardiovascular disease or ischemic event in individuals who do not manifest disease at present.

The patient needs to fast for 12-14 hours before a phlebotomist can collect blood samples. 

The normal ranges of the various parameters measured in the Atherosclerosis Profile-3 test are as follows:

Lipoprotein (a)

• Moderate (< 50 mg/dl)
• Risk (> 50 mg/dl)

Apolipoprotein B/A-1

• Low (> 0.7)
• Moderate (0.7-0.9)
• Risk (> 0.9)

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2

• Normal (< 200 mg/dl)
• Borderline (200 - 235 mg/dl)
• Risk (> 235 mg/dl)

Homocysteine

• Low (< 10 micromoles/l)
• Moderate ( 11 - 14 micromoles/l)
• High (> 15 micromoles/l)

Hs-CRP

• Low (< 1.0 mg/dl)
• Average (1.0 - 3.0 mg/dl)
• High (> 3.0 mg/dl)

Hs-CRP > 10.0 mg/dl confirms severe inflammation

Atherosclerosis, or arteriosclerosis, also known as coronary heart disease (CAD), leads to the clogging of the coronary arteries responsible for blood supply to the heart muscles. It can lead to cardiovascular diseases like heart attack, chest pain, and cardiac arrest without prompt treatment.

Apolipoproteins B/A-1 test

Lipid Panel

Hs-CRP test

Homocysteine test

Lp-PLA2 test

Lp(a) test

Atherosclerosis is a complex cardiovascular disease that prevents natural blood supply to the heart muscles. It is caused by a potential build-up of cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, and triglycerides in heart vessels. This leads to plaque formation, reducing natural blood circulation to the heart muscles. If not treated or reversed, it can lead to CVD, heart attack, or cardiac arrest in vulnerable patients.

Cardiologists will prescribe this test for existing patients or individuals having one or more of the conditions listed below:

• Hyperlipidaemia (high blood cholesterol)
• Hypercholesterolemia (excess LDL)
• Existing plaque in heart vessels (atherosclerosis)
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Hypertension
• Family history of heart ailments
• Alcoholic and chain smoker

• Atherosclerosis profile-3 test is a comprehensive heart diagnosis package that comprises several tests. It includes:
• Apolipoproteins B/A-1
•  Cholesterol (Total, HDL, Non-HDL, LDL, VLDL and triglycerides)
• lipoprotein (a),
• high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP)
• lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2)
• homocysteine.

Depending upon the results of these tests, and your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe additional tests that may include ECG, echocardiography, doppler echocardiography, EKG, D-dimer, CPK, and LDH.