Advanced Cardiovascular Screening
Standard cholesterol tests don't tell the whole story. Our comprehensive cardiovascular risk protocol identifies metabolic, genetic, and inflammatory markers that conventional medicine misses before a cardiac event occurs.
Founder & Medical Director, The Lamkin Clinic · Board-Certified Physician · 25+ Years Clinical Experience
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, responsible for approximately 1 in every 4 deaths. At The Lamkin Clinic in Edmond, Oklahoma, we offer advanced cardiovascular screening that goes well beyond standard cholesterol testing, identifying the metabolic, genetic, and inflammatory markers that predict true risk. The vast majority of heart disease is preventable when those markers are found early.
Our advanced cardiovascular screening protocol identifies the metabolic, genetic, and inflammatory markers that conventional medicine routinely overlooks. Chronic silent inflammation, lipoprotein particle characteristics, genetic clotting tendencies, and structural arterial changes can all indicate meaningful cardiovascular risk well before a standard lipid panel would raise a flag. Knowing your true risk is the foundation of prevention.
Learn more about our full diagnostic services
What Your Screening May Include
Your advanced cardiovascular screening is individualized based on your health history, risk factors, and goals. Components are selected by Dr. Lamkin to build the most accurate and actionable picture of your cardiovascular health.
A foundational starting point measuring total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. Useful as a baseline but insufficient alone for accurate risk assessment.
A far better predictor of cardiovascular risk than standard lipid testing. Measures the number and size of lipoprotein particles, providing a more accurate picture of arterial health and plaque risk.
Analyzes the omega-3 fatty acid content of red blood cells, providing a long-term indicator of omega-3 status and its impact on cardiovascular inflammation and risk.
Biomarkers related to insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control serve as early indicators of diabetes and metabolic dysfunction, both of which significantly elevate cardiovascular risk.
Advanced nutritional markers that identify deficiencies and imbalances driving vessel inflammation. Addresses the root cause rather than just the downstream effects. See our specialty lab services
A non-invasive CT-based measurement of calcium deposits within the coronary arteries. A direct indicator of existing atherosclerotic plaque burden and future cardiac event risk.
Advanced tests to detect strain or subclinical damage to the heart muscle. Helps determine whether referral for echocardiogram or specialty cardiology consultation is appropriate.
Genetic markers that reveal inherited tendency to form arterial plaque, develop blood clots, and experience cardiovascular events. Guides targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
Compares blood pressure in the lower legs to the arms. A lower ratio in the legs indicates blocked arteries and peripheral vascular disease, a significant marker of systemic cardiovascular disease.
A non-invasive ultrasound measurement recognized by the American Heart Association for early detection of cardiovascular disease. Measures arterial wall thickness as an indicator of subclinical atherosclerosis.
Measures blood pressure and heart rate while lying down, sitting, and standing. Evaluates for neurocardiogenic syncope, a common cause of lightheadedness and fainting in otherwise healthy individuals.
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measures body fat distribution, lean muscle mass, and regional fat depots, all of which contribute to cardiovascular risk assessment. Learn about DEXA scanning
Your 45-Minute Physician Review Consultation
After your screening is complete, Dr. Lamkin will schedule a dedicated 45-minute consultation to review all diagnostic and lab results with you. This is not a brief summary handoff. It is a thorough, clinician-led review of every marker, what it means for your specific risk profile, and a clear plan for addressing the areas of concern identified. Dr. Lamkin believes the vast majority of heart disease is preventable, and this consultation is where prevention begins.
Why Advanced Screening Matters
Conventional medicine's approach to cardiovascular risk relies heavily on the standard lipid panel, a test developed decades ago. Current research makes clear that cholesterol numbers alone are an incomplete and often misleading indicator of true risk. Patients with normal LDL cholesterol have heart attacks. Patients with elevated LDL never do. The difference lies in the markers that standard testing ignores.
Chronic silent inflammation is now recognized as a central driver of cardiovascular disease. Lipoprotein particle number and size matter more than total cholesterol. Genetic tendencies to form clots or develop plaque operate independently of diet and exercise. Subclinical arterial thickening begins years before a cardiac event. None of these show up on a standard lipid panel.
Our advanced cardiovascular screening protocol, available to patients in Edmond, Oklahoma City, and surrounding communities, identifies these risks early, when intervention is most effective and when the trajectory can still be meaningfully changed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is advanced cardiovascular screening and how is it different from a standard heart checkup?
Advanced cardiovascular screening measures the full spectrum of cardiovascular risk, including lipoprotein particle number and size, inflammation markers like CRP and homocysteine, genetic predisposition to clotting and plaque formation, arterial wall thickness via CIMT, and body composition. A standard checkup typically includes only a basic lipid panel, which misses the majority of risk factors now recognized as clinically significant.
What is a CIMT test and why does it matter?
Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a non-invasive ultrasound measurement of the arterial wall. Increased thickness indicates early atherosclerosis, often years before symptoms develop. The American Heart Association recognizes CIMT as a valuable tool for early cardiovascular disease detection. It provides direct structural evidence of arterial health that no blood test can provide.
Can I have advanced cardiovascular screening if my standard labs are normal?
Yes, and this is precisely when it is most valuable. Many patients with completely normal cholesterol panels have significant cardiovascular risk when lipoprotein particles, inflammation markers, and genetic factors are measured. Normal standard labs do not equal low cardiovascular risk.
What happens after my screening is complete?
Dr. Lamkin schedules a dedicated 45-minute consultation to review every result with you in detail. You will understand exactly what each marker means, where your specific risks lie, and what steps can meaningfully reduce those risks. This is not a brief handoff. It is a full clinical review with a personalized prevention strategy.
Is advanced cardiovascular screening covered by insurance?
The Lamkin Clinic is a cash-based practice. Some advanced cardiovascular screening components may be reimbursable through HSA or FSA accounts. We provide documentation to support reimbursement requests. Contact us to discuss pricing and what to expect.
Related Services
Know Your True Cardiovascular Risk
Most heart disease is preventable when risk is identified early and addressed comprehensively. Schedule a consultation to build your complete cardiovascular risk profile.
Call us at (405) 285-4762 or request an appointment online.
