Whether working out at the gym or completing your to-do list, you must prioritize your heart health. This is especially important as you age or if you have a history of heart problems, or if you come from a family with a history of heart diseases. Blood tests that detect silent signs of heart disease could save your life.
But how can you tell if your heart is healthy?
Many types of heart tests and screenings are used by doctors, from simple checks to in-depth evaluations. The best way to ensure you get the appropriate tests at the correct time is to keep your regular appointments with your primary care physician or cardiologist. Your heart health, other chronic illnesses, and overall health and well-being can all benefit from this. When and why, exactly, do we need to take particular heart tests? Where do you find them, and what do they tell you?
In this article, we will explain the various types of blood tests for heart health, when they’re necessary, and how to schedule an appointment, as well as their benefits and drawbacks.
Who is most likely to have heart disease?
Heart disease is a serious health problem that can affect people of any age for a variety of reasons. It may be challenging to alter certain risk factors.
- Age: Cardiovascular disease is more common in males than in women, and it tends to strike at a younger age in men.
- Gender: Children of parents who have heart disease are more likely to also have heart disease. Hereditary factors increase the likelihood that an individual may develop diabetes, hypertension, or excessive cholesterol.
- Low income: Poverty and stress contribute to heart disease5, and systemic concerns such as inadequate care and discrimination in healthcare settings may further raise the risk.
- Lifestyle habits: If you are a smoker, please stop right away. Injuries and subsequent narrowing of blood arteries caused by tobacco smoking reduce blood flow. Even for non-smokers, exposure to smoke increases the likelihood of developing heart disease.
How can I have good heart health?
Heart disease risk can be reduced with dietary changes such as increasing intake of low-sodium, low-sugar, and low-fat foods and decreasing intake of high-sodium, high-sugar, and high-fat foods.
A healthy exercise routine can improve cardiovascular health in several ways. Loss of sleep has been linked to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. Another risk that can be managed is sleep apnea, which occurs when a person stops breathing for long periods during sleep.
What is the best time to check for heart problems?
Since heart disease is responsible for one in every four deaths in the United States, screenings can be performed at any time, regardless of the patient’s health status. Examples of continuous cardiovascular screening include taking your blood pressure and weight regularly at the doctor’s office.
Further testing may be necessary for more significant symptoms such as:
- An irregular heartbeat, often known as palpitations, can cause an uncomfortable fluttering sensation in the chest.
- Pain in the chest, especially if it is tight or heavy, or if it comes and goes with physical activity, is a classic sign of a heart attack and requires rapid attention.
- The inability to catch your breath, unusual exhaustion, and the inability to exercise as you once did are all symptoms that may point to heart failure.
- In women, the symptoms may not be chest discomfort, but rather a nagging pain in the jaw or back that won’t go away.
How do I get checked for cardiac issues?
The insertion of a catheter into a blood artery to assess blood flow and valve health is an invasive test for heart disease. Several diagnostic procedures do not need inserting a device into the patient’s body, making them non-invasive. Tests like these could involve scans or blood draws.
While there are several factors that contribute to the development of heart disease, blood tests can help identify some risk factors. In this blog, we will discuss six blood tests that can help detect potential heart disease and why they are important.
- Lipid Profile
A lipid profile measures the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often referred to as “bad” cholesterol, can contribute to the buildup of plaque in your arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease. A lipid profile can also help identify if you have high levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which is considered “good” cholesterol and can protect against heart disease.
- C-reactive protein (CRP)
CRP is a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation in the body. Elevated levels of CRP are associated with an increased risk of heart disease. A CRP test can help identify inflammation in the body that may contribute to the development of heart disease.
- Homocysteine:
Homocysteine is an amino acid that is produced when the body breaks down protein. High levels of homocysteine in the blood can damage the lining of the arteries, leading to an increased risk of heart disease. A homocysteine test can help identify if you have high levels of this amino acid in your blood.
- Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
HbA1c is a blood test that measures the average level of blood sugar over the past two to three months. High levels of HbA1c are associated with an increased risk of heart disease. HbA1c is commonly used to diagnose and monitor diabetes, which is a major risk factor for heart disease.
- B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)
BNP is a hormone produced by the heart that is released in response to stress. Elevated levels of BNP in the blood can indicate heart failure, a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
- Fibrinogen
Fibrinogen is a protein in the blood that plays a role in blood clotting. High levels of fibrinogen in the blood can contribute to the formation of blood clots, which can lead to heart attack or stroke.
Summary
Everybody, regardless of age, is at risk for developing heart disease; however, the risk increases after age 40, for men, in those with a family history of cardiovascular disease, and for those who are overweight, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and/or live in poverty. Heart disease can be avoided through the adoption of preventative measures, such as a healthy diet and regular exercise, and with the use of in-person and at-home tests to determine one’s individual risk level.
Want to schedule an appointment?
Wanting to schedule some heart-related blood work? Please give us a call when you’re ready to schedule an appointment. Regular blood testing is important for heart health because it gives a medical expert a clear picture of how your heart is functioning. It is best to catch any cardiac issues early so that you can give yourself the best opportunity of successfully treating them. Keep in mind that you may always contact us for assistance, and we look forward to hearing from you soon.
Looking for details about Blood Tests? Simply dial (331) 318-8600 to reach Chicago’s Best Testing Labs.