As we understand more about the biology of atherothrombosis, we need to move beyond standard cholesterol screening if we are to appreciate the promise of preventive early intervention therapies. While hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes, as well as the behavioral risk factors of smoking and diet, remain major critical modifiable risk factors for vascular disease, we have learned over the years that many hemostatic and thrombotic markers such as lipoprotein(a), D-dimer, and homocysteine, inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and interleukin-6, and genetic markers are all part of the evolving understanding of cardiovascular risk.