Cardiovascular disease is a catch all term that includes coronary artery disease leading to heart attacks, cerebrovascular disease causing TIAs or strokes, and peripheral vascular disease causing poor blood supply to the extremities.

The underlying disease process in all three involves atherosclerotic plaque build up in arteries leading to blockages. Screening is recommended to start with a baseline lipid panel to allow detection of abnormally high cholesterol levels  high that require lipid lowering therapy.

Cardiovascular risk assessment using validating risk prediction models require the input of lipid measurements as well as  screening for traditional cardiovascular risk factors incudling blood pressure measurement, and  history of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, tobacco use, and diabetes.