Blood Sugar and insulin
Testing your blood sugar level is vital, as diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease and ischemic stroke. Even if you are not classified as a diabetic, a higher than normal blood sugar level means you have poor glucose tolerance, or your body does not regulate your blood sugar well. This is a forerunner to diabetes.
Having elevated blood insulin levels may indicate that you have insulin resistance; also called Syndrome X or metabolic syndrome. This is much more likely if you are overweight, especially in your abdominal area. Having your insulin levels checked is a good preview, to see if you are likely to have blood sugar problems in the future.
C-Reactive Protein
This is the most important test you need, as it is the biggest risk factor for coronary heart disease. Even if your cholesterol and triglyceride levels are low or normal, and you don’t have any of the traditional risk factors for heart disease, an elevated CRP level is cause for concern. Your level of CRP should be as low as possible. This is a test that your doctor will often miss. Desirable level: 0.0-5.0 mg/L
Homocysteine
This is another often overlooked test, but is essential to evaluate your true risk of heart disease. High levels of homocysteine in your bloodstream have an abrasive effect on your artery walls, making it more likely that fatty particles and other substances will cling to them. This initiates the development of atherosclerosis. You will have higher blood levels of homocysteine if you don’t consume enough vitamins B6, Â12 and folic acid. They are found in most fruits and vegetables as well as animal foods.
This test must be done in a fasting state. Desirable range: 6.0-14.0 umol/L.
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