Unit 2: Cardiovascular Laboratory Markers as Predictors of Heart Disease

Question 1

Laboratory Markers as Predictors of Heart Disease

Answer 1

> Lipid Profile: requires fasting

• Cholesterol
• HDLs
• LDLs
• Triglycerides

> Nonspecific Markers:

• Glucose
• Homocysteine
• C-reactive protein
• Coagulation studies (platelets, fibrinogen levels, PT, PTT, INR)

Question 2

Cholesterol

Answer 2

less than 200 mg/dL

• lipid necessary for synthesis of hormones and cell walls
• available through ingestion of animal products (meat) and through synthesis in the liver
• not soluble in blood; combines w/ proteins to form lipoproteins (LDLs, HDLs) to facilitate transport through the vascular system

Question 3

Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDLs)

Answer 3

• less than 100 mg/dL (< 100 mg/dL)
• transports cholesterol into the cell
• can deposit it on the walls of the arterial vessels
• elevated levels (> 100mg/dL) = increased risk of heart disease

Question 4

High-Density Lipoproteins (HDLs)

Answer 4

• > 40-60 mg/dL
• protective lipoprotein
• transports cholesterol away from the cells to the liver for excretion
• decreased levels ( < 40 to 60 mg/dL) = risk for heart disease

Question 5

Total Cholesterol Level

Answer 5

includes LDLs and HDLs

• Normal: 200 mg/dL or less
• Increased = risk factor for atherosclerotic vessel disease

Question 6

Triglyceride Level

Answer 6

• less than 150 mg/dL (<150 mg/dL)
• store unused ingested calories in fat cells, which may be later released as an energy source between meals
• increased levels (> 150 mg/dL) = risk factor for heart disease

Question 7

Glucose

Answer 7

• 65-99 mg/dl

- diabetes and hyperglycemia are risk factors for CVD

Question 8

Homocysteine

Answer 8

4. 4-10.8 mm/L
   - increased = risk for heart disease
   - amino acid
   - can damage lining of arterial walls, causing clot formation
   - decreased dietary intake of folic acid and B vitamins is associated with increased levels of homocysteine

Question 9

C-reactive Protein

Answer 9

Normal= 0

• not specific for cardiac disease
• elevated levels = increased production of c-reactive protein in the liver secondary to systemic inflammation
• only present hen inflammation is present

Question 10

Platelets

Answer 10

150,000-400,000

• increased = increased risk of atherosclerotic heart disease
• used for screening purposes

Question 11

Fibrinogen Levels

Answer 11

200-400 mg/dL

• increased = risk of atherosclerotic heart disease
• used for screening purposes

Question 12

Prothrombin Time (PT)

Answer 12

10-13 seconds

• measured in patients with increased risk of clot formation (a-fib)
• used to monitor anticoagulation therapy

Question 13

Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)

Answer 13

25-35 seconds

• measured in patients with increased risk of clot formation
• used to monitor anticoagulation therapy

Question 14

International normalized ratio (INR)

Answer 14

< 2.0

• measured in patient with increased risk of clot formation
• used to monitor anticoagulation therapy