F2-Isoprostanes are a class of prostaglandin‑like compounds produced non‑enzymatically when reactive oxygen species attack arachidonic acid in cell membranes. Unlike enzymatically formed prostaglandins, isoprostanes arise from free‑radical lipid peroxidation and are chemically stable enough to be measured in plasma and urine. First characterized in the early 1990s, F2‑isoprostanes quickly became a widely used research and clinical marker of in vivo oxidative stress. Quantification generally uses mass spectrometry or validated immunoassays, providing a specific readout of lipid oxidation rather than a general antioxidant level.

Higher F2‑isoprostane levels suggest increased lipid peroxidation and a greater oxidative burden. In population and clinical studies, elevated values are commonly associated with exposures or states that raise free‑radical production—examples include smoking, air pollution, metabolic strain, chronic inflammation, and aging. Elevated levels should be interpreted with other Cardio Zoomer markers (inflammation, lipids, endothelial function) to understand overall cardiovascular stress patterns. Lower F2‑isoprostane levels usually indicate lower measured lipid oxidative damage or effective clearance; they can reflect lower exposure to oxidative stressors, stronger antioxidant defenses, or timing/collection differences. Low values do not by themselves rule out other forms of cellular stress, so interpretation within the full panel and clinical context is important.

Cardio Zoomer includes F2‑isoprostanes to quantify oxidative stress specifically at the lipid level. This marker complements lipids, inflammatory signals, and endothelial measures to show whether oxidative damage is a prominent contributor to a patient’s cardiovascular profile, supporting more precise risk mapping and targeted clinical interpretation.