We should probably consider asking our doctors about these. Full descriptions at the caring.com link.
http://www.caring.com/articles/new-heart-tests-that-could-save-your-life
1. Coronary artery calcium scan (CAC)
Calcium is one of the main components in the plaque that builds up
inside coronary arteries, narrowing and stiffening them and obstructing
blood flow to and through the heart. A CAC score of zero is considered
ideal; a score over 400 indicates severe atherosclerosis. Although CAC
scanning is still one of the lesser-known heart tests, a study in the
New England Journal of Medicine
a few years ago determined that the CAC test was a "strong predictor"
of heart attack and fatal heart disease. The researchers followed close
to 7,000 people, testing them for CAC, then followed them for more than
three years, correlating the data with the number of fatal or
life-threatening coronary events. Those whose scores ranged from 100 to
300 were seven times more likely to die of a heart attack or other heart
ailment than those with low CAC scores, and those with scores over 300
were even more at risk.
2. Corus CAD
A genetic test, as opposed to a physical measurement, Corus CAD looks
for evidence of narrowing or blockage in the coronary arteries at the
molecular level. Blood samples are screened for the activity of 23 genes
that exhibit changes when there's an obstruction in the arteries. It's
gender specific, taking into account differences in how men and women
respond to obstructive coronary artery disease.
3. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein assay
Levels of C-reactive protein in the blood rise when there's
widespread inflammation somewhere in the body. This can be due to
bacterial or viral infection, but inflammation can also occur when
plaque buildup irritates and inflames artery walls. Research shows that
elevated levels of CRP correlate with increased risk of heart attack and
fatal heart disease, possibly because inflammation damages and
fragments arterial plaque, causing tiny portions of plaque to break off
and be released into the bloodstream, leading to heart attack or stroke.
4. Carotid artery IMT ultrasound (C-IMT)
One of the newest heart health tests to reach doctor's offices is a
specialized, high-resolution ultrasound of the carotid artery called
C-IMT. C-IMT uses sophisticated computer software to calculate the
thickness of the intima and media, two layers of the lining of the
carotid artery. Studies have found a strong correlation between the
health of carotid arteries in the neck and the coronary arteries in the
heart.
5. Hemoglobin A1c test
The newest and least-known of the heart tests listed here is actually
an extremely common test for diabetes, but it's only recently been used
to detect heart disease. Also called glycated hemoglobin or
glycosylated hemoglobin, the hemoglobin A1c test (HbA1c) is considered a
measure of average blood sugar levels over time. More specifically, it
measures the percentage of hemoglobin -- a protein in red blood cells
that carries oxygen -- that's coated with sugar (glycated). The higher
the A1C level, the poorer your blood sugar control.
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