Cardiovascular Labs: Available at Vancouver Wellness Studio
Functional lab testing of the cardiovascular system can provide objective data about specific biomarkers or physiological parameters that contribute to the health of the cardiovascular system. There are a variety of functional lab tests that can be used to assess cardiovascular function, which can also be tracked over time to determining the efficacy of interventions.
Functional lab testing is designed to identify underlying factors that may contribute to cardiovascular disease, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and nutrient deficiencies.
The most commonly used functional lab tests for cardiovascular health assessment include:
Lipid panel that evaluates the total amount of different types of cholesterol including HDL, LDL, and triglycerides.
Complete blood count with ferritin to evaluate vascular parameters
Complete metabolic panel that provides basic information on the status of kidney and liver function, as well as mineral levels important for heart function such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride.
High sensitivity C-reactive protein, which measures levels of inflammation in the body.
Hemoglobin A1c and a fasting Insulin, which are important measurements to determine the body’s ability to manage blood glucose and evaluate for the presence of diabetes or metabolic syndrome.
Some additional functional labs include the following:
Fractionated lipids, is the process by which LDL species are separated based on their structural characteristics and size. This is important because smaller and denser particles are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events compared to larger and less dense particles. Atherosclerosis is a condition characterized by the buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries, which can narrow the blood vessels and restrict blood flow. Small LDL particles are more likely to penetrate the arterial wall, get oxidized, and promote the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
Homocysteine, which assesses the levels of an amino acid that has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
Lipoprotein (a) and ApoB play a significant role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Lp(a) has pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic properties, and elevated levels are associated with an increased risk of premature cardiovascular events, even in individuals with otherwise normal cholesterol levels. ApoB is present on the surface of various lipoprotein particles, including LDL, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), all of which are involved in the transport and delivery of cholesterol and triglycerides to different tissues. Measuring apoB levels provides an estimation of the number of atherogenic particles in the bloodstream. Evaluation of Lp(a) and ApoB help in risk stratification and refining cardiovascular risk assessment, especially in individuals with a family history of cardiovascular diseases or those with unexplained premature atherosclerotic events.
Uric Acid is a pro-inflammatory waste product of purine breakdown, which can contribute to the development and progression of cardiovascular disease by promoting endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance. Purines are found in high amounts within organ meat, game meats, seafood, legumes, spinach and asparagus, beer, and spirits. When uric acid levels are elevated, there can be in increased predisposition for devloping symptoms of gout, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and diabetes.
These parameters should be assessed within the context of other risk factors, such as family history, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and lifestyle factors to develop a more holistic cardiovascular risk evaluation. This allows healthcare professionals to collaborate with patients in making more informed decisions regarding prevention, treatment, and management of cardiovascular diseases that may include lifestyle changes, medications, and other interventions to reduce the risk of heart disease and improve overall cardiovascular health.