The predictive value of emerging risk factors has been studied in an attempt to increase both the sensitivity and specificity of the identification of individuals at heightened risk of CAD, and thus to improve early diagnoses and result in the appropriate institution of efficacious risk modification approaches. Abdominal fat, inflammatory biomarkers, CAC, arterial stiffness, increased C-reactive protein (CRP), vitamins and antioxidant deficiency, endothelial dysfunction, increased arterial intima media thickness (IMT), triglyceride response to fat load, and genetic factors have been extensively studied as potential predictors of increased risk for CAD in the general population.