Cardiovascular Diseases

Approximately 17.9 million people die from cardiovascular disease (CVD) every year, making it the leading cause of death globally.¹In vitro diagnostic (IVD) testing for cardiac markers plays a critical role in the diagnosis, monitoring and prevention of numerous CVDs.²

“Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels. Accounting for an estimated one third of all deaths worldwide, CVDs are the number one global cause of mortality. Rapid diagnostics as well as reliable identification and monitoring of high-risk individuals is vital for lowering risk of CVD-related death and disability. Cardiac biomarkers are a varied group of molecules whose increased concentrations relate to the presence and the risk of future cardiovascular events.

There is a growing need for accurate biomarkers for diagnostics and risk stratification, as efficient treatment and prevention of CVD rely on early detection of patients with, or at risk of, these diseases.”

- Medix Biochemica³

Medix Biochemica provides a wide selection of premium-quality monoclonal antibodies, antigens and biological samples for cardiac marker detection. Our animal-free antibodies are manufactured in vitro in cell culture, with no serum or other animal-derived components used during manufacturing. They offer reliable batch-to-batch consistency and provide excellent performance and high sensitivity in cardiac assays.²

Download Cardiac Markers Infographic PDF

As experts in the IVD field, we also offer recommendations for matched antibody pairs.^2,4

“Determining the NT-proBNP monoclonal antibody (mAbs) pairs with optimal sensitivity in each assay platform is crucial for ensuring the highest possible clinical performance of different diagnostic NT-proBNP tests.

We have developed seven mouse anti-human NT-proBNP mAbs that bind to specific linear epitopes of NT-proBNP.”

- Medix Biochemica⁴

Our comprehensive portfolio, customized solutions and expert customer support make us one of the most important raw material suppliers for the IVD world.⁴

Basic Cardiovascular Anatomy and Circulation^5,6

Common Cardiovascular Diseases

Condition	Description	Common Symptoms
Heart attack⁷	Also called myocardial infarction A medical emergency where the heart muscle begins to die due to lack of blood flow Usually caused by a blockage in the arteries that supply blood to the heart	Chest pain Shortness of breath Trouble sleeping Nausea Heart palpitations Anxiety Lightheadedness or dizziness
Heart failure⁸	A long-term condition where the heart can’t pump blood sufficiently Blood collects in other parts of the body, most often the lungs, legs and feet May be caused by coronary artery disease, heart attack, genetic heart problems, diabetes, high blood pressure or kidney disease	Shortness of breath Chest pain Heart palpitations Fatigue Swelling in the ankles, legs and abdomen Weight gain Need to urinate at night Dry cough Bloated or hard stomach Loss of appetite or nausea
Cardiac arrest⁹	A life-threatening condition that occurs when the heart stops beating May be fatal within minutes May be caused by heart attack, heart failure, blood loss, poisoning, recreational drugs or an underlying illness	May occur suddenly with no preceding symptoms Heart palpitations Lightheadedness or dizziness Weakness Chest pain Nausea Shortness of breath Fainting
Atherosclerosis¹⁰	Thickening or hardening of the arteries caused by a build-up of plaque May lead to complications like heart attack or stroke May be caused by high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes or tobacco use	Shortness of breath during light physical activity Chest pain Pain in the back, shoulders, neck, arms or belly Lightheadedness or dizziness Heart palpitations Fatigue Nausea or vomiting
View our informative infographic, which illustrates the lifestyle risk factors for atherosclerosis:
Deep vein thrombosis¹¹	The formation of blood clots in a vein deep within the body, often in the leg Blood clots may partially or completely block blood flow in the affected area Blood clots that travel to the blood vessels in the lungs can cause a pulmonary embolism May be caused by genetics, injury, pregnancy or sitting still for long periods	Pain, tenderness and/or swelling in the affected area Red or discolored skin in the affected area
Hypertension^12,13	High blood pressure The force of the blood pushing against the artery walls is too high Causes arterial damage and may lead to complications like heart attack or stroke Caused by unhealthy diet and lack of exercise, alcohol and tobacco use, certain medications or underlying illnesses like kidney disease	A 'silent killer' that usually has no symptoms
Did You Know? An estimated 1.28 billion adults aged 30–79 years worldwide have hypertension, with two thirds living in low- and middle-income countries. It’s estimated that nearly half (46%) of people with hypertension are unaware that they have the condition.¹³
Hypotension¹⁴	Low blood pressure May be caused by blood loss, heart and lung conditions, certain medications, pregnancy, central nervous system diseases or alcohol and recreational drug use	Many people have no symptoms Lightheadedness or dizziness Fainting Nausea or vomiting Blurred vision Fast, shallow breathing Fatigue Weakness Trouble concentrating
Angina¹⁵	Chest pain that occurs when the heart doesn’t receive enough oxygen-rich blood Not a disease but a symptom/warning sign of heart disease May be caused by coronary artery disease, coronary microvascular disease or coronary artery spasm	Pain or pressure behind the breastbone Pain or discomfort that spreads from the chest to the rest of the upper body Fatigue Nausea or vomiting Shortness of breath Sweating
Congenital heart disease¹⁶	A problem with the structure of the heart, present from birth Examples include obstructive lesions or a hole in the heart wall Symptoms may begin at birth or later in life May be caused by genetics or abnormal chromosomes May also be caused by illness, medication use or smoking/drinking during pregnancy	A blue tint to the skin, lips or nails Excessive drowsiness Fast breathing or difficulty breathing Fatigue Heart murmur Poor circulation Weak pulse or pounding heartbeat
Coronary artery disease¹⁷	Limited blood flow in the arteries that deliver blood to the heart muscle, due to narrowing or blockage of the arteries Caused by atherosclerosis (build-up of plaque)	Chest pain Shortness of breath
Myocardial ischemia¹⁸	Lack of blood flow to the heart muscle May be caused by coronary artery disease, coronary artery spasm or a blood clot	Chest pain/pressure/aching/burning sensation Pain or discomfort in the upper body Shortness of breath Lightheadedness or dizziness Cold sweat Nausea or vomiting Fast or irregular heartbeat

Some Important Cardiac Markers

Cardiac troponins (cTnI, cTnT)^19-21

Enter the bloodstream soon after a heart attack
Stay in the bloodstream for days after all other biomarkers have returned to normal levels
The gold standard for diagnosing heart attack. Also important for diagnosing acute myocardial ischemia

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)²²

High levels are a sign that the heart is having to work too hard to pump blood
High BNP levels can be a sign of heart failure

Creatinine kinase (CK)^19,20

Typically doubles for 24 hours after a heart attack
CK-MB, a CK subtype, is more sensitive and can identify heart damage from a heart attack

Interleukin-6 (IL-6)^21,23

An inflammatory biomarker that reflects systemic inflammation
Linked to atherosclerosis
IL-6 family members are also closely linked to hypertension, aortic dissection, cardiac fibrosis and cardiomyopathy

Medix Biochemica’s high-quality raw materials for IVD cardiovascular tests include antibodies and antigens for cTnI, NT-proBNP and CKMB.²

Our CVD Catalog lists the full range of products available:

Our Cardiovascular Technical Note showcases results from prototype (unoptimized) assays, indicating proof of concept with clinical samples, and also provides useful data about pair recommendations, kinetic parameters, binding epitopes and assay correlations:

About Medix Biochemica

Medix Biochemica has the most comprehensive portfolio of IVD raw materials available, with over 5 000 products including antibodies, antigens, enzymes, biospecimens and molecular reagents. We are trusted by leading names in the IVD industry, working with 23 out of 25 of the biggest global IVD companies.

Medix Biochemica has a global footprint, with headquarters in Finland (Espoo) and offices in France, Germany, the USA and China.

Contact us to discuss your IVD requirements: