Cardiac Risk Profile Test in Chennai

Myocardial infarction is a cardiac condition, where there is temporary or permanent cessation of the blood supply to the heart muscles. This is also referred to as a heart attack. There are various predisposing factors to cardiac disorders like age, hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, family history etc. If a heart attack occurs, there are various blood markers that confirm the diagnosis and indicate the severity of the condition. A Cardiac Risk Profile is a comprehensive panel that includes tests to measure the common parameters that could increase the risk of a coronary artery disease. 

The term "cardiac" refers to the heart and the related structures of the circulatory system. Cardiac risk is the risk of developing heart disease or experiencing a cardiac event such as a heart attack. This risk can be influenced by various factors such as age, genetics, lifestyle habits, and underlying medical conditions.

What is a cardiac risk profile test?

A cardiac risk profile test is a type of screening tool that determines a person's risk of developing heart disease. It measures several blood parameters that suggest or indicate the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Why is the cardiac risk profile done?

The cardiac risk profile is done to determine the likelihood that a person will develop heart disease within the next 10 years. People who have a high risk of developing cardiac issues may be advised to get the test more frequently.

Doctors pay particular attention to the following factors:

• Homocysteine: Elevated levels of homocysteine have been associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and blood clots.
• D-Dimer: A high level of D-dimer can indicate an increased risk of blood clots, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
• Fibrin degradation product: Elevated levels of fibrin degradation products can indicate an increased risk of blood clots.
• High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP): hsCRP is a marker of inflammation, which has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
• Lipid profile: A lipid profile checks various types of fats and cholesterol in the blood, including:
  • Cholesterol-Total: Total cholesterol levels can indicate an individual's overall risk for heart disease.
  • HDL: High-density lipoprotein or HDL is the good cholesterol that protects against heart attack and stroke
  • LDL: Low-density lipoprotein or LDL is the bad cholesterol that leads to fat build-up in the arteries and increases the risk of heart attack
  • VLDL: very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, and intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL) cholesterol.
  • Triglycerides: Triglycerides are also linked to heart disease because they lead to fat build-up on artery walls.
  • Non-HDL: Non-HDL cholesterol is an important component of a cardiac risk profile. It is a measure of the total bad cholesterol present in the blood. It includes triglycerides, LDL, and VLDL

Written by: Dr.Shibani R, Medical Writer, Medical Affairs