Cardiac Blood Tests - Let's be aware of this!

There are special blood tests that can help you find out how healthy your heart is, and we call them cardiac blood tests. These tests are really important, you know? They can give your doctor or nurse a good idea of ​​your risk of developing heart disease, or heart disease, and blood vessel disease. So, let's talk about these very important tests in a little more detail, shall we?

What are cardiac blood tests?

Simply put, this is a test that takes a sample of your blood and measures certain things in it. The doctor then compares these results with whether anyone in your family has heart disease (i.e., family history) and your own health conditions to determine your risk.

There are various blood tests that can tell us about the function and health of the heart. Let's take a look at the main ones:

Cholesterol-related tests

You may have heard of these.

• Total cholesterol: This measures the total amount of cholesterol in your blood.
• Triglycerides: This is also a type of fat in the blood. It is not good for these to increase.
• HDL (High-density lipoprotein) cholesterol: This is called "good cholesterol." Do you know why? It helps remove bad cholesterol. So the higher the number, the better.
• LDL (Low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol: Ah, this is the "bad cholesterol" . It can build up in your blood vessels and clog them. So it's good to have low levels of this.

Protein-related tests

Some proteins in the blood are also related to heart health.

• Lipoprotein (a): This is an extra lipoprotein found in the blood of some people. If it is elevated, it can increase the risk of heart disease.
• Apolipoprotein B (ApoB): This is a protein found in bad cholesterol.
• Fibrinogen: This is a protein that helps blood clot. However, its levels can sometimes be linked to heart disease risk.
• NT-proBNP (Aminoterminal, pro-brain natriuretic peptide): This is a protein produced by your heart. Its levels increase in heart failure.

Tests that show inflammation

Inflammation, or swelling, in the body can also contribute to the buildup of plaque in blood vessels.

• Ultra-sensitive C-reactive protein (us-CRP): This can detect even minor inflammatory conditions in the body.
• MPO (Myeloperoxidase): This is also an enzyme associated with inflammation.

Tests for Diabetes

Did you know that diabetes is a disease that can damage blood vessels? That's why these tests are also very important.

• Hemoglobin A1c (HgA1c): This measures your blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months.
• Fasting glucose: A blood sugar test done after you have not eaten or drunk anything for several hours.
• Insulin: This is a hormone that controls sugar in the body.

Testing for other substances that increase cardiovascular risk

• Homocysteine: This is an amino acid. Increased levels of this are associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
• Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO): This substance is formed when some of the foods we eat are digested in the intestines. This can also increase the risk of heart disease.

When is a blood test done to check heart function?

Now you may be wondering, "Do I need to have these tests?" Your doctor may order these blood tests in the following situations:

• If you already have heart disease.
• If your cholesterol and/or triglyceride levels are high.
• If anyone in your family (such as parents, siblings) has heart disease.

Doctors use this information to calculate your risk of having a heart attack , stroke , or other cardiovascular problem.

It's common for everyone to have their cholesterol levels checked. However, other specialized tests (like the aforementioned proteins and those related to inflammation) are often only ordered if you have multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The more information you have, the clearer your doctor can get a picture of your risk.

Who does these blood tests?

Your primary care provider can usually order a blood test to check your cholesterol levels. However, specialized tests that look at heart function are often ordered by a cardiologist. However, you will need to go to a separate location, a lab, to get the blood sample.

How should we prepare before a blood test?

This is a very simple thing.

• Most of the time, your doctor will tell you to fast . That means you shouldn't eat or drink anything except water for 9 to 12 hours before donating blood.
• However, you should drink plenty of water . That way, you won't become dehydrated. That way, it will be easier for the person taking your blood to find a vein, and it won't be as difficult for you to get your blood drawn.
• Many people prefer to go to the lab early in the morning to donate blood because it's easier to fast at night while you sleep.

What to expect on the day of the blood test?

When you arrive at the doctor's office or lab for your blood test, the receptionist will check you in. Some places require an appointment, while others are on a first-come, first-served basis. You may be asked if you have fasted for 9-12 hours, meaning you have only been drinking water.

Before taking the blood sample

• You will be seated in a chair. The chair will have an armrest. You can extend your arm forward over it.
• If you are wearing a long-sleeved shirt, you will need to roll your arms up past your elbow.
• Next, the person taking the blood will wipe your arm below the elbow (the inside of the arm where the arm bends) with antiseptic liquid. Then, an elastic band will be placed around your upper arm.

During the blood test

Now that your skin is clean and ready, the person taking the blood will insert a needle into a vein in your arm. This is done very quickly. It will feel a little painful, like someone pricking you with a pin. Some people find it easier to look away at this point.

The blood will be collected in a tube. That tube will be sent to the lab for testing. Then the elastic band will be removed and the needle will be removed by hand. Then a small bandage will be applied to the area where the needle was inserted. This may hurt a little.

After the blood test

After the bandage is applied to your hand, you can go home. You can eat and drink normally. There's nothing to worry about!

What are the results we get? What does it mean?

When you get your test results, compare them to the normal values ​​below. But remember, these values ​​can vary slightly from lab to lab, and your doctor should be the one to interpret your results accurately.

Suitable levels for cholesterol-related tests:

• Total cholesterol: Between 125 and 200 mg/dL.
• LDL (bad cholesterol): Should be less than 100 mg/dL (less than 70 mg/dL if you have diabetes or are at high risk for heart disease).
• HDL (good cholesterol): Should be between 40 and 60 mg/dL or higher (over 50 mg/dL is better for women, over 40 mg/dL for men).
• Triglycerides: Should be less than 150 mg/dL.

Suitable levels for protein-related tests:

• Lipoprotein (a): Should be less than 30 mg/dL.
• Apolipoprotein B (ApoB): Should be less than 100 mg/dL.
• Fibrinogen: Should be less than 300 mg/dL.
• NT-proBNP: Should be less than 125 pg/mL.

Appropriate levels for tests indicating inflammation:

• us-CRP (Ultra-sensitive C-reactive protein): Should be less than 2.0 mg/L.
• MPO (Myeloperoxidase): Should be less than 350 mg/g.

Suitable levels for diabetes testing:

• Hemoglobin A1c (HgA1c): Should be 5.6% or less.
• Fasting glucose: Should be less than 100 mg/dL.
• Insulin: Between 1 and 24 U/ml. (This may vary depending on the lab).

Other suitable levels for testing:

• Homocysteine ​​(Hcy): Should be less than 10 umol/L.
• Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO): Should be less than 6.2 uM.

Important: These are only average values. You should definitely talk to your doctor to understand your results accurately.

What to do if the results are not normal?

If your heart disease blood test results are not as expected, indicating a risk factor, your doctor may advise you to make some changes to your lifestyle. For example:

• Eating a low-fat diet and avoiding fast food and red meat.
• Exercising more.
• Avoiding the use of tobacco products (like cigarettes).
• Weight loss.

You may also need to start taking medication to prevent heart disease (for example, cholesterol-lowering medication). This will be determined by your doctor.

How long does it take to get test results?

Although the processing time for results may vary from lab to lab, you will usually receive your results within a few days .

When should I contact my doctor?

Be sure to contact your doctor in this case:

• If you haven't received results after a week.
• If the meaning of the results you received is not clear.

Finally, things to remember

Thanks to the advancements in medicine, doctors can now find out about your cardiovascular risk through blood tests like these ``Cardiac Blood Tests.`` Once they know your risk of having a heart attack or stroke, they can create a plan to help you. Don't forget that making healthy changes to your lifestyle can go a long way in reducing your risk of heart disease. So, don't be afraid, get these tests done if necessary, and let's all try to live a healthy life!

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