5 New Heart Tests That Could Save Your Life

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.