Early cardiovascular disease (CVD) detection is crucial for effective prevention and management. While traditional risk factors are recognised, functional and morphological changes in the arterial wall during the subclinical phase provide valuable insights into disease progression. Non-classical markers of atherosclerosis have been sought to identify at-risk individuals and assess early changes. Circulating blood markers such as inflammatory mediators (e.g., interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor–alpha (TNF-α), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2)) indicate atherosclerotic processes and can predict cardiovascular (CV) events. Among these, hsCRP stands out due to its association with low-grade inflammation, enhanced risk prediction and potential as a target for statin therapy. Markers of plaque stability, including myeloperoxidase (MPO) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), contribute to plaque erosion or rupture. Elevated MPO and MMP-9 levels correlate with increased CV risk. Carotid intima–media thickness is a non-invasive method that reflects anatomical deterioration, providing prognostic value for CV events. Detection of endothelial dysfunction, the earliest functional alteration, is also vital; however, improved standardisation and practicality are needed for wider clinical application. Asymptomatic atherosclerotic plaques and the ankle–brachial index indicate the presence of CV disease. Additionally, measuring arterial stiffness, reflected in pulse wave velocity, is informative for assessing CV risk. Overall, early detection and understanding of non-classical markers of atherosclerosis offer insights into disease progression and provide opportunities for preventive strategies and interventions.