Ulta Lab Tests

Women’s Vascular Inflammation & Microvascular Disease Panel

The Women’s Vascular Inflammation & Microvascular Disease Panel evaluates hidden causes of chest pain and shortness of breath by measuring hs-CRP, Lp-PLA2 activity, MPO, galectin-3, NT-proBNP, endothelin-1 (where available), fasting insulin with HOMA-IR, and GlycA (if available) to identify vascular inflammation, endothelial stress, and microvascular dysfunction often missed by standard heart tests.

Blood, Serum
Phlebotomist
Women’s Microvascular Heart Disease Panel; Women’s Vascular Inflammation Panel; Women’s Endothelial Dysfunction Panel; Women’s Inflammatory Heart Risk Panel; Women’s Chest Pain & Microvascular Risk Panel

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.

GALECTIN 3

Glucose

A blood glucose test measures the amount of a sugar called glucose in a sample of your blood. Glucose is a major source of energy for most cells of the body, including those in the brain. The hormones insulin and glucagon help control blood glucose levels.

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: Insulin (fasting)

Insulin

Insulin is a hormone that is produced and stored in the beta cells of the pancreas. It is vital for the transportation and storage of glucose at the cellular level, helps regulate blood glucose levels, and has a role in lipid metabolism. When blood glucose levels rise after a meal, insulin is released to allow glucose to move into tissue cells, especially muscle and adipose (fat) cells, where is it is used for energy production. Insulin then prompts the liver to either store the remaining excess blood glucose as glycogen for short-term energy storage and/or to use it to produce fatty acids. The fatty acids are eventually used by adipose tissue to synthesize triglycerides to form the basis of a longer term, more concentrated form of energy storage. Without insulin, glucose cannot reach most of the body's cells. Without glucose, the cells starve and blood glucose levels rise to unhealthy levels. This can cause disturbances in normal metabolic processes that result in various disorders, including kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and vision and neurological problems. Thus, diabetes, a disorder associated with decreased insulin effects, is eventually a life-threatening condition.

LP PLA2 ACTIVITY

Also known as: Anti-Myeloperoxidase, Churg-Strauss Syndrome, Crescentic Glomeruloephritis, MPO, Myeloperoxidase Antibody MPO

Myeloperoxidase Antibody

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) are a group of autoantibodies produced when a person's immune system mistakenly targets and attacks its own neutrophil proteins. Two of the most commonly targeted proteins are myeloperoxidase (MPO) and proteinase 3 (PR3). This results in the production of antibodies to MPO and/or PR3. The ANCA blood test detects the presence or absence of these autoantibodies. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies may be present in a variety of autoimmune disorders that cause inflammation and damage to blood vessels throughout the body (systemic vasculitis). Vasculitis can cause tissue and organ damage due to the narrowing and obstruction of blood vessels and the subsequent loss of blood supply. It can also produce areas of weakness in blood vessel walls, known as aneurysms, which have the potential to rupture.

Also known as: BNP, N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide, proBNP Nterminal

Probnp, N Terminal

N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) used to detect and evaluate heart failure. BNP is actually produced primarily by the left ventricle of the heart (the heart's main pumping chamber). It is associated with blood volume and pressure and with the work that the heart must do in pumping blood throughout the body.When the left ventricle of the heart is stretched, the concentrations of NT-proBNP produced can increase markedly. This situation indicates that the heart is working harder and having more trouble meeting the body's demands. This may occur with heart failure as well as with other diseases that affect the heart and circulatory system. It does not mean that the heart has stopped working; it just means that it is not pumping blood as effectively as it should be. NT-proBNP concentrations will reflect this diminished capacity.
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The Women’s Vascular Inflammation & Microvascular Disease Panel panel contains 7 tests with 7 biomarkers .

The Women’s Vascular Inflammation & Microvascular Disease Panel is designed to identify inflammatory and endothelial patterns that can drive cardiovascular symptoms in women—even when standard heart tests appear normal.

Many women experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue due to microvascular dysfunction or diffuse vascular inflammation, which often goes undetected with routine imaging or cholesterol tests. This panel focuses on the biological drivers behind those symptoms.

Purpose of This Panel

  • Detect vascular inflammation and endothelial stress

  • Identify risk patterns linked to microvascular disease

  • Reveal inflammatory drivers of chest pain and breathlessness

  • Support more informed, preventive cardiovascular care

Who This Panel Is Best For

This panel is commonly chosen by women with:

  • Persistent chest pain or shortness of breath with “normal” test results

  • Migraines or vascular headaches

  • Autoimmune or inflammatory conditions

  • Long COVID or post-viral symptoms

  • Chronic fatigue or exercise intolerance

  • Ongoing cardiovascular symptoms without clear diagnosis

Tests Included and What They Show

Inflammation and Vascular Injury

  • High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)
    Measures low-grade inflammation linked to vascular injury and heart risk.

  • Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) Activity
    Reflects inflammation within blood vessel walls and plaque activity.

  • Myeloperoxidase (MPO)
    Indicates oxidative stress and endothelial damage associated with vascular dysfunction.

  • Galectin-3
    Linked to chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and vascular remodeling.

Cardiac Stress and Circulatory Load

  • NT-proBNP
    Reflects cardiac strain and vascular pressure, even without overt heart failure.

Metabolic and Insulin Resistance Markers

  • Fasting Insulin
    Helps identify insulin resistance that worsens vascular inflammation.

  • HOMA-IR (calculated)
    Estimates insulin resistance linked to endothelial stress and microvascular disease.

Why This Panel Matters for Women

Women are more likely to develop microvascular disease and diffuse plaque, which may not appear on traditional stress tests or angiograms.

This panel helps:

  • Reveal hidden inflammatory and endothelial stress

  • Explain symptoms that standard tests miss

  • Identify early risk patterns before major events

  • Support more personalized cardiovascular conversations

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can heart tests be normal even when symptoms persist?

Standard tests often focus on large arteries. Microvascular dysfunction and inflammation can cause symptoms without obvious blockages.

Is this panel only for women with chest pain?

No. It is also useful for women with migraines, autoimmune disease, long COVID, or unexplained fatigue.

How often should this panel be done?

Many women choose this panel once every 1–2 years or when symptoms persist without explanation.

Can this panel explain shortness of breath?

It can help identify vascular inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, or metabolic stress that contribute to breathing symptoms.

Are there other panels I should consider adding?

Some women also add:

  • A core or advanced cardiovascular risk panel

  • A hormone-driven heart risk panel

  • A metabolic or insulin resistance panel

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