Cardiovascular Biomarkers

LDL particle number is described as more predictive of risk than LDL-C alone. Standard lipid panels do not capture immune, oxidative, and particle-level dimensions of cardiovascular risk. ApoB provides a direct count of atherogenic lipoprotein particles because each particle has one ApoB molecule. A functional medicine cardiovascular evaluation extends testing to markers reflecting inflammation, oxidative stress, and particle burden. Myeloperoxidase reflects oxidative stress burden, active inflammation, and endothelial injury in the vessel wall. Lp-PLA2 reflects active plaque formation and increasing atherogenic burden. High-sensitivity CRP reflects cardiovascular-specific systemic inflammation.