What is the purpose of this test?
Order this Heart Health #2 Baseline 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.
Heart Health #2 Essential Blood Test Panel includes:
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel 14 (CMP-14):
- 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 Profile with Total Cholesterol: HDL Ratio - helps determine heart disease risk and to help decide treatment if you are borderline or high risk. Depending on lipid profile results and other risk factors, treatment options may involve diet and exercise changes or lipid-lowering medications such as statins. The Lipid Profile With Total Cholesterol: HDL Ratio test includes:
- 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.
C-Reactive Protein, High Sensitivity (CRP, HS) - measurement of CRP by high-sensitivity CRP assays may add to the predictive value of other markers used to assess the risk of cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease. Increases in CRP values are nonspecific. CRP indicates a wide range of disease processes and should only be interpreted with a complete clinical history. Recent medical events resulting in tissue injury, infections, or inflammation, which may cause elevated CRP levels, should also be considered when interpreting results. Serial analysis of CRP should not be used to monitor treatment effects.
Homocysteine - an amino acid typically found in the body, has a metabolism linked to several vitamins, especially folic acid, B6, and B12, and deficiencies of those vitamins may cause elevated homocysteine levels. Studies suggest that those with high homocysteine levels have a much greater risk of heart attack or stroke than those with average levels. In addition, increased homocysteine concentrations have been associated with an increased tendency to form appropriate blood clots. This can lead to heart attack, strokes, and blood vessel blockages in any body part.
Lipoprotein (a) - is a powerful predictor of premature atherosclerotic vascular disease.1 As an independent risk factor for premature coronary artery disease, excess Lp(a) concentrations are associated with an increased risk of cardiac death in patients with acute coronary syndromes and restenosis after angioplasty (PTCA) and coronary bypass procedures. In general, concentrations >30 mg/dL of Lp(a) in serum are associated with a two- to sixfold increase in risk, depending on other risk factors.
When should I order a Heart Health #2 Essential 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
