Diseases – see self-history – that can be or are the consequence of atherosclerosis (arteriosclerosis, hardening of the arteries) require diagnostic clarification according to the guidelines of Evidence Based Medicine (EBM).
Since there are no early symptoms of atherosclerosis, a regularly recurring health examination is necessary from the age of 30, which should include the following laboratory parameters.Laboratory parameters 1st order – obligatory laboratory examinations.
- CRP (C-reactive protein)
- Cholesterol – total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol.
- Triglycerides
- Homocysteine
- Lipoprotein (a) – lipoprotein electrophoresis, if necessary [in men, a single determination of lipoprotein (a) is sufficient; in women, a determination before and after menopause is required].
- Apolipoprotein E – genotype 4 (ApoE4).
- Fibrinogen
The above laboratory parameters are considered independent risk factors for atherosclerosis.2nd order laboratory parameters – depending on the results of the medical history, physical examination, etc. – for differential diagnostic clarification.
- Fasting insulin
- Infections with chlamydia
- Lp-PLA2 (vascular inflammatory enzyme lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2; inflammatory marker) – for risk stratification of cardiovascular disease.
Note!Fasting insulin serum level may be elevated without glucose serum level! → Then suspect a. Insulin resistance (see HOMA index under “fasting insulin“).
