Cardio Risk Check: which blood markers matter?

For a robust cardiovascular risk assessment, several blood markers are evidence-based. The standard lipid panel (LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides) is supported by strong human evidence from RCTs and meta-analyses (human-strong). High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) measures systemic inflammation and adds predictive value, especially in intermediate-risk individuals. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a genetically determined risk factor independently associated with atherosclerosis; evidence is human-moderate to strong, though specific therapies are still limited. Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) captures the number of atherogenic particles and is considered more accurate than LDL alone. Direct-to-consumer DNA tests often report variants in genes like SLCO1B1 (statin myopathy risk) or IL-6 (inflammation), but their clinical utility is limited – a blood test for hs-CRP is more informative. Caveat: No single marker replaces a physician's comprehensive assessment including blood pressure, age, smoking, and family history. Always consult your doctor before making any changes.