What is the purpose of this test?
Order this Heart Health #3 Extreme Blood Test Panel to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and overall health. Heart health, also known as cardiovascular health, refers to the health of the heart and blood vessels. A healthy heart is essential for overall good health, as the heart is responsible for pumping nutrient-rich blood throughout your body. It also supplies oxygen while removing toxins and waste from the bloodstream. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a group of diseases of the heart and blood vessels, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure, heart arrhythmias, and heart valve problems. In addition, several risk factors lead to cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, tobacco use, and diabetes.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (14 tests):
- Glucose: Blood sugar level, the most direct individual test to diagnose diabetes, may be used not only to identify diabetes but also to evaluate how one controls the disease.
- Kidneys:
- BUN (Urea Nitrogen) - is a by-product of protein metabolism eliminated through the kidneys. BUN is an indicator of kidney function.
- Creatinine, Serum - an indicator of kidney function
- Bun/Creatinine Ratio - is calculated by dividing the BUN by the Creatinine.
- Glomerular Filtration (eGFR) - assesses the kidney's filtering capacity.
- Fluids & Electrolytes:
- Sodium - is one of the major salts in the body fluid. Sodium is essential in the body's water balance and the electrical activity of nerves and muscles.
- Potassium - helps to control the nerves and muscles.
- Chloride - similar to sodium- helps maintain the body's electrolyte balance.
- Carbon Dioxide, Total - is used to help detect, evaluate, and monitor electrolyte imbalances.
- Calcium: A mineral essential for developing and maintaining healthy bones and teeth. It is also crucial for the normal function of muscles, nerves, and blood clotting.
- Liver:
- Protein, Total - in conjunction with albumin, it measures the state of nutrition in the body.
- Albumin - is one of the major proteins in the blood and a reflection of the general state of nutrition.
- Globulin, Total - a significant group of proteins in the blood comprising the infection-fighting antibodies
- Albumin/Globulin Ratio - is calculated by dividing the albumin by the globulin.
- Bilirubin, Total - is a chemical involved with liver functions. High concentrations may result in jaundice.
- Alkaline Phosphatase - is a body protein essential in diagnosing proper bone and liver functions.
- Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) - is an enzyme found in skeletal and heart muscle, liver, and other organs. Abnormalities may represent liver disease.
- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) - is an enzyme found primarily in the liver. Abnormalities may represent liver disease.
Lipid Panel With Total Cholesterol: HDL Ratio
- Cholesterol, Total - a sterol in the blood. Knowing your cholesterol level may be as important as knowing your blood pressure. Elevated cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease.
- Triglycerides - are fat in the blood that provides energy to the body's cells. Triglycerides should be less than 400 mg/dl even while in a non-fasting state.
- HDL Cholesterol - (High-density lipoproteins) are believed to take cholesterol away from cells and transport it back to the liver for removal or processing. They are known as the "good" cholesterol, as people with high levels of HDL may have less heart disease. Conversely, low HDL could result from a lack of exercise and smoking.
- LDL Cholesterol - Low-density lipoproteins contain the most significant percentage of cholesterol and may be responsible for depositing cholesterol on the artery walls. They are known as the "bad" cholesterol.
- Total Cholesterol/HDL Ratio - is calculated by dividing the total cholesterol by the HDL cholesterol. This is the ratio used by physicians in determining your relative risk for developing cardiovascular disease.
Thyroid Panel with Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) - Thyroid function is critical to your metabolism and affects your energy level, weight control, heart rate, and more. The thyroid-stimulating hormone is produced in the pituitary gland and stimulates the production of thyroid hormones. The TSH helps to identify an overactive or underachieving thyroid state. This comprehensive evaluation of your thyroid hormone levels includes: T-3 Uptake, T4, T7, and Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Complete Blood Count (CBC) With Differential and Platelets - A complete blood count (CBC) will give important information about the kinds and numbers of cells in the blood, especially red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A CBC helps your health professional check any symptoms, such as fatigue, weakness, or bruising, that you may have. A CBC also helps diagnose conditions such as anemia, infection, and many other disorders.
Mineral and Bone - Total Iron, Calcium, and Phosphorus
C-Reactive protein - A substance in the blood that indicates the presence of inflammation and may warn of a heart attack in advance. Elevated amounts of protein in men can triple their risk for heart attack and double their risk for stroke; in women, elevated amounts can increase their heart attack risk up to seven times. Cardio (also specific or high sensitivity) C-Reactive Protein is a marker of inflammation in the blood vessels and a good predictor of risk for future myocardial infarctions. Cardiovascular tests ordered may vary based on patient symptoms and family history.
NMR LipoProfile - is an advanced cardiovascular diagnostic test that uses nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to uniquely provide a rapid, simultaneous, and direct measurement of LDL particle number and size of LDL particles and direct measurement of HDL and VLDL subclasses. This detailed lipoprotein particle information allows health professionals to make more effective individualized treatment decisions than previously possible based on standard lipid panel testing. The atherosclerotic culprit is LDL particle number, not LDL cholesterol.
Homocysteine - helps diagnose B12/folate deficiencies and identifies patients at risk for heart disease and strokes.
When should I order a Heart Health #3 Extreme Blood Test Panel?
Individuals may order this test if they have an increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Common signs or symptoms of CVD include:
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Heart attack or stroke
- Irregular heartbeats or palpitations
- Swollen legs, ankles, or feet
