February is National Heart Month, an important time to raise awareness about cardiovascular health and prevention strategies. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of health-related challenges worldwide, affecting millions of individuals annually. While lifestyle changes and early intervention can significantly reduce risk, laboratories play a critical role in advancing research through accurate and timely testing of key cardiovascular biomarkers.
In this post, we’ll explore the importance of investigating cardiovascular health and introduce three biomarkers—oxidized LDL (ox-LDL), C-reactive protein (CRP), and Myeloperoxidase (MPO)—that your laboratory should consider testing to help guide clinical research. These markers offer essential cardiovascular insights, therefore enabling improved outcomes.
Cardiovascular disease encompasses a range of disorders, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, and stroke. Early detection and prevention are key to reducing the burden of these diseases. Testing for specific cardiovascular biomarkers allows for:
For laboratories, testing these markers enhances data collection and can help advance cardiovascular research.
To support cardiovascular research, laboratories should test the following biomarkers:
Oxidized LDL is a modified form of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) that plays a significant role in the development of atherosclerosis. Elevated ox-LDL levels indicate increased oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which contribute to plaque formation.1 By measuring ox-LDL, your organization can provide critical data to help assess the risk for atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular concerns.
C-reactive protein is a well-established marker of systemic inflammation. Research shows that determining high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), in particular, can assist in evaluating low-grade inflammation linked to cardiovascular risk.2-3 Measuring CRP levels can provide valuable insights into the inflammatory processes that may contribute to cardiovascular conditions.
Myeloperoxidase is an enzyme released by white blood cells during inflammation. Elevated MPO levels are associated with plaque instability and the likelihood of cardiovascular events.4 MPO measurements offer essential data to help identify potential risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes, making it a crucial tool in cardiovascular research.
By integrating these three biomarkers into your laboratory’s studies, you can play a vital role in advancing cardiovascular research.
As we continue our National Heart Month series, we’ll explore each of these biomarkers’ relevance, testing methodologies, and how your lab can help enhance cardiovascular understandings. Stay tuned for actionable insights and strategies to elevate your laboratory’s role in advancing cardiovascular research.
If you want to expand your laboratory’s cardiovascular research capabilities, contact us to discover more about our range of immunoassays and detection tools. Together, we can make a difference in addressing cardiovascular challenges and improving clinical outcomes.
The ox-LDL ELISA is FDA Class 1 Exempt. For In Vitro Diagnostic Use.
The CRP and MPO ELISAs are For Research Use Only in North America. Not for Use in Diagnostic Procedures.
All ELISAs are For Laboratory Professional Use Only.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
