Lipid Panel and C-Reactive Protein Cardiac (hsCRP) Most Popular

The Lipid Panel and C-Reactive Protein Cardiac (hsCRP) panel contains 2 tests with 8 biomarkers.

Brief Description: The Lipid and hs-CRP Panel is a combination of tests commonly ordered by healthcare professionals to assess an individual's risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. This panel includes the Lipid Panel and hs-CRP tests, each playing a crucial role in understanding heart health and inflammation in the body. The analysis of these markers provides valuable insights into the patient's health status, enabling early intervention and management strategies to prevent the onset or progression of diseases.

Collection Method: Blood Draw 

Specimen Type: Serum 

Test Preparation: Patient should be fasting 9-12 hours prior to collection.

When and Why the Lipid and hs-CRP Panel May Be Ordered

The Lipid and hs-CRP Panel is often ordered as part of routine health examinations, especially in individuals with risk factors for heart disease such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, smoking, or a family history of heart disease. It may also be ordered when a patient exhibits symptoms of heart disease or when a healthcare provider wants to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment or lifestyle changes on a patient's lipid levels or inflammation.

What the Lipid and hs-CRP Panel Checks For

Lipid Panel

The Lipid Panel is a comprehensive test that measures the levels of specific fats in the blood, essential for assessing cardiovascular health. The components of the lipid panel include:

  • Total Cholesterol: The sum of cholesterol content in the blood.
  • Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol: Often referred to as "bad" cholesterol, high levels can lead to plaque buildup in arteries.
  • High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol: Known as "good" cholesterol, it helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream.
  • Triglycerides: A type of fat in the blood, high levels can increase the risk of coronary artery disease.

hs-CRP

The hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) test measures the level of CRP in the blood, a marker of inflammation in the body. It is used to evaluate the risk of cardiovascular disease. High levels of hs-CRP are associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral arterial disease, as they may indicate inflammation in the cardiovascular system.

Conditions or Diseases Detected by the Lipid and hs-CRP Panel

Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease (CAD), heart attack, and stroke, are primarily detected through abnormalities in the lipid panel and elevated hs-CRP levels. These conditions result from the buildup of plaques in the arterial walls, leading to reduced blood flow. The lipid components, especially high LDL and low HDL levels, contribute to plaque formation, while high hs-CRP levels indicate inflammation, further exacerbating the risk of cardiovascular events.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

PAD, characterized by narrowed arteries reducing blood flow to the limbs, can also be detected by this panel. Elevated LDL cholesterol and hs-CRP levels contribute to the development and progression of PAD by promoting atherosclerosis and inflammation in the peripheral arteries.

Using the Results in Treatment and Monitoring

Cardiovascular Diseases

For patients with or at risk for cardiovascular diseases, healthcare professionals use the Lipid and hs-CRP Panel results to guide treatment decisions. High LDL and triglyceride levels may prompt the initiation or adjustment of lipid-lowering medications, dietary changes, and physical activity recommendations. Elevated hs-CRP levels may warrant further investigation into inflammatory causes and consideration of more aggressive cardiovascular risk reduction strategies.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

In PAD management, reducing LDL cholesterol and hs-CRP levels is crucial. Treatment may include statins to lower cholesterol and lifestyle modifications to reduce inflammation and improve cardiovascular health. Monitoring these markers helps assess the effectiveness of treatment and the need for adjustments.

The Lipid and hs-CRP Panel is a vital tool in the assessment and management of cardiovascular health. By evaluating the levels of specific lipids and the inflammatory marker hs-CRP, healthcare professionals can identify individuals at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases and peripheral arterial disease. These results are instrumental in guiding treatment decisions, monitoring disease progression, and implementing preventive measures to improve patient outcomes.

We advise having your results reviewed by a licensed medical healthcare professional for proper interpretation of your results.

The following is a list of what is included in the item above. Click the test(s) below to view what biomarkers are measured along with an explanation of what the biomarker is measuring.

Also known as: C-Reactive Protein, Cardio CRP, Cardio hs-CRP, CRP, High Sensitivity CRP, High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein, High-sensitivity CRP, Highly Sensitive CRP, hsCRP, Ultra-sensitive CRP

Hs Crp

A high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) test may be used by itself, in combination with other cardiac risk markers, or in combination with a lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) test that evaluates vascular inflammation. The hs-CRP test accurately detects low concentrations of C-reactive protein to help predict a healthy person's risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). High-sensitivity CRP is promoted by some as a test for determining a person's risk level for CVD, heart attacks, and strokes. The current thinking is that hs-CRP can play a role in the evaluation process before a person develops one of these health problems.

Also known as: Lipid Panel with Ratios (fasting), Lipid Profile with Ratios (fasting), Lipids

Chol/HDLC Ratio

Cholesterol, Total

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that occurs naturally in all parts of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to work properly. But if you have too much in your blood, it can combine with other substances in the blood and stick to the walls of your arteries. This is called plaque. Plaque can narrow your arteries or even block them. High levels of cholesterol in the blood can increase your risk of heart disease. Your cholesterol levels tend to rise as you get older. There are usually no signs or symptoms that you have high blood cholesterol, but it can be detected with a blood test. You are likely to have high cholesterol if members of your family have it, if you are overweight or if you eat a lot of fatty foods. You can lower your cholesterol by exercising more and eating more fruits and vegetables. You also may need to take medicine to lower your cholesterol.

HDL Cholesterol

LDL-Cholesterol

LDL/HDL Ratio

Non HDL Cholesterol

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are a form of fat and a major source of energy for the body. This test measures the amount of triglycerides in the blood. Most triglycerides are found in fat (adipose) tissue, but some triglycerides circulate in the blood to provide fuel for muscles to work. After a person eats, an increased level of triglycerides is found in the blood as the body converts the energy not needed right away into fat. Triglycerides move via the blood from the gut to adipose tissue for storage. In between meals, triglycerides are released from fat tissue to be used as an energy source for the body. Most triglycerides are carried in the blood by lipoproteins called very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). High levels of triglycerides in the blood are associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), although the reason for this is not well understood. Certain factors can contribute to high triglyceride levels and to risk of CVD, including lack of exercise, being overweight, smoking cigarettes, consuming excess alcohol, and medical conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease.
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