Atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease tend to be associated with varying degrees of inflammation within the walls of the arterial system. In fact, one important factor that distinguishes an unstable cardiovascular system from an stable one is the presence of significant vascular inflammation in the former and the absence of such inflammation in the latter. The only FDA-cleared test to help in this assessment is the Lp-PLA₂ blood test by diaDexus. At The Heart Attack Prevention Institute (HAPI) of Naples, FL, testing for Lp-PLA₂ is utilized to aid in the determination of the degree of vascular inflammation and thus the risk of future adverse cardiovascular events (LINK TO DIADEXUS WEBSITE).