Heart & Cardiovascular Risk
Heart and cardiovascular risk refers to the likelihood of developing conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels — including coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke. Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and much of that risk is preventable when identified early.
At National Path Lab (NPL), a comprehensive range of cardiovascular risk tests is available, from standard lipid screening to advanced markers used for more detailed risk stratification.
Tests Available at NPL
LIPOPROTEIN (A) ; LP (A)
SAMPLE DAILY BY 4:00 PM REPORT ON NEXT DAY EVENING
Rs. 2000
APOLIPOPROTEIN B (APO B)
SAMPLE DAILY BY 4:00 PM REPORT ON NEXT DAY EVENING
Rs. 1500
GLYCOSYLATED HEMOGLOBIN; HBA1C
SAMPLE DAILY BY 7:00 PM REPORT ON SAME DAY
Rs. 1000
About Heart & Cardiovascular Risk
Who Is at Risk?
Cardiovascular risk is shaped by a combination of factors you cannot change and factors you can:
Non-Modifiable Factors | Modifiable Factors |
• Age (risk increases for men from around 45 and women from around 55) • Family history of premature heart disease (in a parent or sibling before age 55 in men, or 65 in women) • Sex — men are generally at higher risk at a younger age than women • Genetic and ethnic predisposition | • Smoking or tobacco use • Physical inactivity • Unhealthy diet, particularly high in saturated fat and salt • Obesity, especially abdominal obesity • High blood pressure • Diabetes or prediabetes • Elevated LDL cholesterol • Chronic stress and excessive alcohol use |
Warning Signs You Shouldn't Ignore
•Shortness of breath, particularly with exertion or at rest
•Palpitations or an irregular heartbeat
•Unexplained fatigue
•Swelling in the legs or ankles
•Dizziness or lightheadedness
Related Tests Available at NPL
Test | Clinical Relevance |
Lipid Profile (Total Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Triglycerides) | The foundational test for cardiovascular risk assessment. |
Non-HDL Cholesterol | A calculated measure providing additional insight into atherogenic lipoprotein burden. |
Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) | Reflects the actual number of artery-damaging lipoprotein particles; useful in selected patients. |
Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] | A largely inherited risk factor not captured by a standard lipid profile; useful with a family history of premature heart disease. |
hs-CRP (High-Sensitivity CRP) | A marker of vascular inflammation that can add information to traditional risk factors. |
HbA1c / Fasting Glucose | Assesses diabetes and metabolic risk, closely linked to cardiovascular risk. |
Homocysteine | May be considered in selected patients as an additional cardiovascular risk marker. |
NT-proBNP | A marker relevant to heart failure evaluation in appropriate clinical situations. |