Current promotion
Cardio IQ Advanced Lipid & Heart Health Testing: ApoB, Lp(a) & More
Advanced lipid, inflammation, and metabolic testing from Quest, a deeper look at cardiovascular markers than a standard cholesterol panel.
Affiliate disclosure: we earn a commission when you purchase lab tests through links on this site, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Individual Cardio IQ tests from $22.95 (about $14.15 with the current promotion); multi-test panels range from $49.95 to $604.95 list price, with promotional pricing shown at checkout at time of writing.
At a glance
Cardio IQ is Quest' line of advanced cardiovascular blood tests that measures lipid subclasses, apolipoproteins (ApoB and ApoA1), Lipoprotein (a), inflammation markers like hs-CRP and Lp-PLA2, and metabolic markers such as HbA1c and fasting insulin. It is designed for adults who want a more detailed picture of markers associated with cardiovascular risk than a standard cholesterol test provides. You can order individual Cardio IQ tests or bundled panels online and get blood drawn at a local Quest lab.
Best suited for
- Adults with a family history of early heart disease who want detail beyond a standard cholesterol panel
- People whose routine LDL looks normal but who want particle-level markers like ApoB and LDL subclass size to discuss with their doctor
- Anyone who has never measured Lipoprotein (a), a largely inherited marker associated with cardiovascular risk
- People tracking lipid, inflammation, and metabolic trends over time, for example after clinician-guided changes to diet, exercise, or medication
- Health-conscious adults monitoring cardiometabolic markers such as HbA1c, fasting insulin, and hs-CRP alongside their lipids
What's included
Cardio IQ Advanced Lipid Panel Plus
Cardio IQ Advanced Lipid Panel Plus & Inflammation
Cardio IQ Max Lipid Panel
Cardio IQ Max Lipid Panel + Fibrinogen Antigen
Cardio IQ Max Lipid Panel + MPO
Cardio IQ ASCVD Risk Panel with Score
Cardio IQ Diabetes and ASCVD Risk Panel with Scores
Cardio IQ Apolipoprotein A1 Test
Cardio IQ Apolipoprotein B Test
Cardio IQ Apolipoprotein Evaluation Test
Cardio IQ Direct LDL Test
Cardio IQ A1c Test
Cardio IQ Homocysteine Test
Cardio IQ hs-CRP Test
Cardio IQ Insulin Test
Cardio IQ Lipid Panel Test
Cardio IQ Lipoprotein (a) Test
Cardio IQ Lipoprotein Fractionation Test, Ion Mobility
Cardio IQ Lp-PLA2 PLAC Test
Cardio IQ Vitamin D 25-Hydroxy Test
Deep-dive the key markers: ApoB, LDL-C, HDL-C, Triglycerides, Lp(a), hs-CRP, HbA1c, Fasting Insulin, Vitamin D
Key biomarker ranges
Commonly used adult reference ranges for markers this panel measures, labs vary, so always interpret results against your lab's stated ranges and with your doctor.
Commonly used reference ranges favor ApoB below ~90 mg/dL; people with higher baseline cardiovascular risk are often advised toward lower targets.
| Zone | Range |
|---|---|
| Optimal | 0–90 mg/dL |
| Borderline high | 90–110 mg/dL |
| High | 110–160 mg/dL |
Commonly used reference ranges label LDL-C under 100 mg/dL optimal; ideal targets depend on your overall cardiovascular risk profile.
| Zone | Range |
|---|---|
| Optimal | 0–100 mg/dL |
| Near optimal | 100–130 mg/dL |
| Borderline high | 130–160 mg/dL |
| High | 160–190 mg/dL |
| Very high | 190–220 mg/dL |
Commonly used cutoffs differ by sex: below 40 mg/dL is low for men, below 50 mg/dL for women; 60 mg/dL and above is generally considered protective-range.
| Zone | Range |
|---|---|
| Low | 0–40 mg/dL |
| Acceptable | 40–60 mg/dL |
| Optimal | 60–100 mg/dL |
The importance of testing
A standard lipid panel reports total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. Cardio IQ testing goes further: lipoprotein fractionation by ion mobility profiles LDL and HDL particles by size and concentration, direct LDL measures LDL-C without relying on a calculation, and ApoB, ApoA1, and Lipoprotein (a) quantify the particles most closely associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk. Because Lp(a) is largely inherited, it is a marker many people have never had measured even after years of routine cholesterol checks.
The line also covers inflammation. Tests for hs-CRP, Lp-PLA2, fibrinogen, and homocysteine measure markers associated with vascular inflammation, adding context that lipid numbers alone do not capture.
A third group tracks metabolic health: HbA1c reflects average blood sugar over the past two to three months, and fasting insulin offers insight into how the body regulates blood sugar, markers associated with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes that also matter for cardiometabolic risk. The Cardio IQ Diabetes and ASCVD Risk Panel combines lipid, glucose-related, and inflammation markers with calculated risk scores in one draw.
Cardio IQ results are organized with clear, color-coded categories, optimal, moderate, or high-risk, which makes them practical to track over time and to review with your doctor when discussing diet, exercise, or care decisions.
Promo code
CARDIOIQ22Save 20% with code CARDIOIQ22, current promotion; confirm final pricing on the partner page.
Ready to get your numbers? Order online, visit a nearby draw site, and receive private results to review with your doctor.
Order NowFrequently asked questions
What does Cardio IQ testing measure?
Cardio IQ testing measures advanced cardiovascular markers across three areas: lipids (including ApoB, ApoA1, Lipoprotein (a), direct LDL, and lipoprotein particle size by ion mobility), inflammation markers (hs-CRP, Lp-PLA2, fibrinogen, homocysteine), and metabolic markers (HbA1c and fasting insulin). Together these give a more detailed view of markers associated with cardiovascular and metabolic risk than a standard lipid panel, with results organized into optimal, moderate, and high-risk categories.
How is Cardio IQ different from a standard cholesterol test?
Cardio IQ goes beyond the four numbers on a standard lipid panel by measuring lipid subclasses, particle counts, and apolipoproteins, plus inflammation and metabolic markers. A routine panel reports total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides; Cardio IQ adds markers like ApoB, Lp(a), and LDL particle size that can differ meaningfully even when standard numbers look unremarkable, useful context to review with your doctor.
Can I order Cardio IQ tests without a doctor's visit?
Yes, Cardio IQ tests on the partner site are ordered directly online without needing to schedule a doctor's appointment first. You choose your tests, visit a local Quest lab for the blood draw, and receive your results to review on your own and with your healthcare provider.
Do I need to fast before Cardio IQ testing?
It depends on the tests you choose: the fasting insulin test is designed for a fasting sample, while the direct LDL test provides accurate results even with non-fasting samples. Check the preparation instructions for each test in your order, and when in doubt, an overnight fast before your blood draw keeps all options open.
Is Cardio IQ testing available in every state?
No, direct-to-consumer lab testing is restricted or prohibited in New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, so residents of those states may be blocked at the partner's checkout. Availability elsewhere depends on having a Quest patient service center nearby, which you can confirm when ordering.
How do I get the Cardio IQ discount?
Use promo code CARDIOIQ22 at checkout on the partner page to save 20% on Cardio IQ testing. This is a current promotion, so confirm the final price and code validity on the partner site before ordering.
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