Now, a new blood test to show heart risks!

In fact, their claims came in the wake of their new research which has revealed that low levels of the protein -- 'cardiac troponin T' -- are present in blood of patients with severe heart disease.

Until now, it had been thought that the protein was only detectable in those who already suffered a heart attack.But, the latest research, led by a team at the University of Texas, shows a blood test for traces of the protein can spot patients with dangerous heart problems up to six years earlier, the 'Daily Express' reported.

Prof James de Lemos of the University of Texas, who led the research, was quoted by the British newspaper as saying, "This test is among the most powerful predictors of death in the general population we've seen so far."

Heart disease is considered to be the one of the major killers in the world. Although drugs which lower cholesterol levels and high blood pressure have slashed death rates from heart disease, these are only given once patients have been diagnosed as at risk.