What is Cardiometabolic Risk?
Cardiometabolic risk refers to a collection of conditions linked to obesity and insulin resistance that increase the chances of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or both. These risks rarely occur in isolation—when one appears, others often follow. That’s why proactive screening is so important.
According to the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes who also struggle with high blood pressure and high cholesterol are much more likely to be obese, placing them at a significantly greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This clustering effect highlights the importance of early detection and targeted prevention.
Key Cardiometabolic Risk Factors
Monitoring the following markers provides valuable insight into cardiometabolic health:
- Increased fasting insulin*
- Increased triglycerides*
- Increased C-reactive protein (CRP)*
- Increased hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)*
- Decreased HDL (“good”) cholesterol*
- Increased LDL (“bad”) cholesterol*
- Increased VLDL cholesterol*
- Increased waist circumference
- Increased blood pressure
*These can be measured using ZRT’s CardioMetabolic Profile with a simple dried blood spot test.
Even individuals who are not diabetic but show one or more of these risk factors may still face an elevated risk of developing heart disease or other complications. This is why ongoing monitoring is essential—it helps uncover hidden or under-diagnosed health concerns before they become more serious.
Why Testing Matters
Testing for cardiometabolic risk factors provides a comprehensive overview of your health and helps you and your healthcare provider to:
- Identify hidden health risks early
- Create targeted treatment strategies
- Track progress and improvements over time
- Support sustainable lifestyle changes
When managed properly—through a combination of medical care, nutrition, exercise, and stress management—these risk factors can be reduced. This lowers the likelihood of cardiovascular events and promotes healthy aging and longevity.
Taking Action
Improving cardiometabolic health doesn’t require overnight transformation. Instead, it’s about making small, consistent changes that build long-term resilience:
- Eat a balanced diet full of whole foods, lean proteins, and fiber
- Engage in regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week)
- Manage stress and sleep effectively
- Partner with healthcare providers to track and address key biomarkers
By testing and addressing cardiometabolic risks, you’re not just protecting your heart—you’re investing in your overall well-being and quality of life.
✅ Bottom line: Cardiometabolic health goes beyond heart disease—it’s about building a foundation for lifelong resilience. By understanding your risks and taking proactive steps, you can improve your health today and protect your future.
Related Tests
CardioMetabolic Profile Testing
CardioMetabolic Profile – Insulin, hsCRP, HbA1c, TG, CH, LDL, HDL & VLDL