Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
Either you or your physician can request a consultation with a doctor at NYU Langone’s Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease by calling us at 212-263-4300. We offer a range of tests that can diagnose early heart disease and assess the risk factors that predispose a person to heart disease and stroke.
The tests we offer include the following:
24-Hour Blood Pressure Monitoring
Blood pressure readings taken during an office visit may be abnormally high—“white coat” hypertension—or falsely low, called masked hypertension. To determine whether patients have high blood pressure and require treatment, we provide them with a portable device that records their blood pressure over a 24-hour period.
Advanced Lipid Profile
An advanced lipid profile test gives us a more accurate picture of your risk for cardiovascular disease than the standard lipid profile test taken during an annual physical.
With an advanced lipid profile test, we can measure the individual particle size and numbers that make up LDL (bad) and HDL (good) cholesterol, which can better predict your risk for heart disease and stroke. This test may be particularly beneficial for people already on statins, those with diabetes or prediabetes, and for people with a family history of early heart disease or stroke.
Ankle-Brachial Index
The ankle-brachial index test measures the blood pressure in the arm and then compares it with the blood pressure in different segments of the legs to screen for peripheral artery disease, which may indicate atherosclerosis in the arteries of the aorta or lower extremities. The test is useful for determining decreased blood flow, even at early stages of disease, which can change the course of treatment.
Carotid Intimal-Medial Thickness Evaluation
Carotid intimal-medial thickness (IMT) evaluation is used to measure the thickness of the wall of the carotid artery in your neck. The thickening of the carotid artery or the presence of plaque can identify early vascular disease, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Coronary Calcium Scoring
In a coronary calcium scoring test, CT scans are taken of the heart to detect the amount of calcified plaque on your coronary artery walls. Plaque can block blood flow to your heart and be an indicator of early cardiovascular disease.
High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein
A blood test can detect increased levels of a protein known as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), which may signal inflammation in your arteries. This inflammation may contribute to atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, and increase your risk of heart attack or stroke.
Advanced Lipoprotein (a) Testing
About one in five people have elevated lipoprotein (a), also known as Lp(a), an inherited, independent risk factor for early heart disease and stroke. Lp(a) testing is a blood test that is particularly beneficial for people with a family history of early heart disease, and for people with heart disease but no known cardiovascular risk factors.
Metabolic Panel
People with metabolic disorders such as diabetes and prediabetes are at greater risk of early heart disease and blood clotting. Early detection of abnormal metabolic health can guide lifestyle changes and medication therapy to help prevent diabetes and serious diabetes-related health problems.
Thrombosis Screening
Thrombosis, or blood clots, contribute to heart attacks, strokes, vascular disease in the legs, and sudden cardiac death. Blood tests can identify underlying causes of blood clots or otherwise unexplained vascular disease.
Vascular Health Screening
Abnormal vascular function is sometimes the first sign of cardiovascular disease and may demonstrate that disease has already started to affect the arteries. People with abnormal vascular function are at heightened risk for heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events. Monitoring vascular health over time may be useful in helping to assess the effectiveness of certain therapies.