What are Coronary Artery Disease biomarkers

Coronary artery disease (CAD) biomarkers are blood signals that reveal what is happening inside the artery wall and heart muscle. They capture plaque build-up and particle burden (LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B), inherited plaque-accelerating particles (lipoprotein(a)), the “heat” of immune activation that makes plaques fragile (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), the body’s clot-forming tendency (fibrinogen, platelet activation markers), metabolic stress that fuels plaque growth (insulin resistance, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins), and silent heart injury or strain (high-sensitivity troponin, natriuretic peptides). Together they translate an invisible process—atherosclerosis—into numbers you can track. Measuring them helps estimate personal risk, reveal hidden vulnerability even when you feel well, and prioritize the most effective prevention steps. They also guide treatment choices—how intensively to lower LDL particle load, whether to target inflammation or thrombosis—and show whether therapy is working over time. In short, CAD biomarkers let you see the biology behind future heart attacks before they strike, so care can be targeted, timely, and preventive.

Why is blood testing for Coronary Artery Disease important?

• Estimate and personalize your coronary artery disease risk from cholesterol particles and inflammation.
• Spot excess artery-clogging particles with ApoB to refine risk beyond LDL cholesterol.
• Flag inherited risk with Lp(a) to prompt earlier, stronger LDL-lowering strategies.
• Explain silent artery inflammation using hs-CRP, which increases risk independent of cholesterol.
• Guide statin intensity and add-on choices using LDL and ApoB risk thresholds.
• Clarify lipid-inflammation balance with HDL, NHR, and AIP to uncover triglyceride-rich risk.
• Track progress and residual risk over time to confirm therapies are truly working.
• Best interpreted with blood pressure, diabetes markers, smoking status, and your symptoms.

What insights will I get?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) blood testing provides a window into the health of your cardiovascular system, which is central to energy delivery, metabolism, brain function, and overall resilience. At Superpower, we measure key biomarkers—LDL, HDL, ApoB, Lp(a), hs-CRP, NHR, and AIP—to assess the balance between risk and protection in your arteries. These markers help us understand how well your body maintains the integrity of blood vessels, supports heart function, and manages inflammation, all of which are vital for long-term health.

LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is often called “bad cholesterol” because it can deposit cholesterol in artery walls, contributing to plaque buildup. HDL (high-density lipoprotein), or “good cholesterol,” helps remove cholesterol from the bloodstream. ApoB (apolipoprotein B) reflects the number of particles carrying cholesterol that can enter artery walls, making it a direct measure of atherogenic risk. Lp(a) is a genetic variant of LDL that can further increase risk by promoting clot formation. hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) is a marker of inflammation, signaling active processes that can destabilize plaques. NHR (non-HDL cholesterol to HDL ratio) and AIP (atherogenic index of plasma) integrate multiple lipid measures to provide a broader view of risk.

Optimal levels of these biomarkers indicate stable vessel walls, efficient cholesterol transport, and low inflammation—conditions that support healthy blood flow and reduce the likelihood of artery narrowing or blockage. Imbalances can signal vulnerability to plaque formation, instability, or inflammation, all of which can compromise heart and systemic health.

Interpretation of these biomarkers can be influenced by factors such as age, sex, pregnancy, acute illness, medications, and laboratory methods. These variables may shift results, so context is essential for accurate assessment.