1. Lipid Profile (Fasting/Regular)

   • Overview: Measures cholesterol and triglyceride levels to assess risk of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.

2. Serum Electrolyte (Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, HCO₃⁻)

   • Overview: Assesses balance of electrolytes important for cardiac rhythm and function.

3. NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro b-type Natriuretic Peptide)

   • Overview: Biomarker for heart failure and cardiac stress.

4. Random Plasma Glucose (RBS)

   • Overview: Checks blood glucose at any time of the day to screen for diabetes or impaired glucose metabolism.

5. Homocysteine

   • Overview: An amino acid; elevated levels are linked to endothelial damage, thrombosis, and cardiovascular disease.

Risk Assessment for Cardiac Disease

Risk factors include:

• Age (increased risk with age)
• Family history of heart disease
• Smoking
• High blood pressure (Hypertension)
• High cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia)
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Chronic stress

Cardiac screening helps assess these risk factors and prevent cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks or strokes.

Normal Ranges for Common Cardiac Screening Tests

1. Lipid Panel:

   • Total Cholesterol: Less than 200 mg/dL
   • LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein): Less than 100 mg/dL (optimal)
   • HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein): Greater than 60 mg/dL (optimal)
   • Triglycerides: Less than 150 mg/dL

2. High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP):

   • Low risk: Less than 1.0 mg/L
   • Average risk: 1.0 to 3.0 mg/L
   • High risk: Greater than 3.0 mg/L

3. Troponin:

   • Normal range: Typically below 0.04 ng/mL
   • Higher levels may indicate heart muscle damage.

4. BNP/NT-proBNP:

   • BNP:
     • Less than 100 pg/mL (normal)
     • Over 500 pg/mL suggests heart failure
   • NT-proBNP:
     • Less than 125 pg/mL (under age 75)
     • Less than 450 pg/mL (age 75 and older)

5. Homocysteine Levels:

   • Normal range: 5 to 15 μmol/L (micro moles per liter)
   • Elevated levels are linked to an increased risk of heart disease.

• High Cholesterol: Elevated LDL and low HDL levels may indicate a higher risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. High triglycerides can increase the risk of heart attack.
• High hs-CRP: Indicates inflammation, which is often associated with atherosclerosis or heart disease risk.
• Elevated Troponin: Indicates damage to the heart muscle, often used to diagnose heart attacks.
• Elevated BNP/NT-proBNP: Suggests heart failure or stress on the heart.
• Elevated Homocysteine: Suggests an increased risk of coronary artery disease.

Sample Types for Cardiac Screening Tests

1. Blood Tests:

   • Venous blood is typically collected from a vein in the arm for lipid panels, troponin, hs-CRP, BNP, and homocysteine levels.

2. Non-Invasive Tests:

   • ECG and echocardiograms require no blood sample; they use electrodes, sound waves, or imaging techniques.

3. Invasive Tests:

   • Coronary angiography involves the injection of a contrast dye into the bloodstream, typically through a catheter inserted into an artery (often in the groin or wrist).