Blood Tests for Diagnosing Heart Diseases
Heart disease is an umbrella term used for a set of conditions that affect the heart. Heart problems are common and often don’t present with symptoms at the beginning.
Blood tests are one the easiest and most effective diagnostic tools for doctors. Heart blood tests can provide information to doctors regarding heart health.
This article discusses the prominent heart blood tests, how to prepare for them, and how to interpret the test results.
What are The Blood Tests for Diagnosing Heart Disease?
The important diagnostic blood tests for heart health check are as follows:
1. Cholesterol Test
This test measures the fats in the blood. A cholesterol test is alternatively called a lipid panel or lipid profile. Cholesterol test usually measures:
- Total Cholesterol: Total cholesterol is the amount of cholesterol in the blood. A high total cholesterol can indicate a risk of heart disease.
- LDL Cholesterol: LDL cholesterol is also called bad cholesterol. A high level of bad cholesterol leads to plaque buildup in the arteries. The plaque can restrict blood flow to the heart, leading to heart and blood vessel problems.
- HDL Cholesterol: HDL cholesterol is good cholesterol that offsets the harmful effects of LDL cholesterol. High HDL cholesterol improves blood flow in the arteries.
- Triglycerides: A high level of this type of fat can increase the risk of heart disease.
- Non-HDL Cholesterol: Non-HDL cholesterol is obtained by removing the HDL cholesterol from the total cholesterol. A high Non-HDL cholesterol indicates a risk of plaque buildup in the arteries.
- High Sensitivity C-reactive Protein
The liver makes C-reactive protein in response to bodily injury or infection. The body’s response to these conditions causes inflammation. Inflammation can cause atherosclerosis- plaque buildup in the arteries.
High sensitivity C-reactive protein test can indicate the risk of heart attack, heart disease and stroke before any symptoms occur.
2. Lipoprotein (a)
Lipoprotein(a) is a kind of LDL cholesterol, high levels of which can indicate a higher risk of heart disease.
The level of lipoprotein(a) in the blood depends on one’s genes and not lifestyle. Doctors generally recommend this test when the patient has a family history of early-onset heart disease or stroke. A doctor can also order this test when a patient has atherosclerosis and healthy cholesterol levels.
3. Plasma Ceramides Test
This test measures the ceramides in the blood. Cells in the body make ceramides. A high ceramide level in the blood is related to atherosclerosis and insulin resistance, indicating a higher risk of diabetes and heart disease.
4. Natriuretic Peptides Test
Heart and blood vessels make natriuretic peptide, a protein. The function of this protein is to help the body get rid of fluids, relax blood vessels and push sodium into the urine.
When there’s heart damage, the level of natriuretic protein in the body increases. The release of natriuretic peptides relieves stress in the heart.
5. Troponin T Test
Troponin T is a protein found in the heart. Troponin T-test is used to diagnose the risk of heart attack. A high level of troponin T indicates heart disease before any symptoms.
How to Prepare for Blood Test for Heart?
Heart blood tests do not require any special preparation. However, in the case of a fasting blood test, it is recommended not to consume anything except water for at least 8 to 12 hours before the test. A fasting blood test is usually scheduled in the morning.
It is a good idea to be well hydrated before a blood test as it can make it easy for the doctor or the attendant to find a vein to extract blood.
How to Interpret the Results of Heart Blood Tests?
The ideal target ranges for the prominent heart blood tests are:
- Cholesterol Test:
- Total Cholesterol: Lower than 200 mg/dL
- LDL Cholesterol: Less than 130 mg/dL
- HDL Cholesterol: More than 40 mg/dL in men, 50 mg/dL in women
- Triglycerides: Less than 150 mg/dL
- High Sensitivity C-reactive Protein Test: Less than 2mg/L
- Lipoprotein(a) Test: Less than 30 mg/dL
- Natriuretic Peptides Test: Less than 100 pg/mL
- Troponin T Test: less than 0.04 ng/mL
Many heart problems do not present any symptoms at the beginning. However, routine heart blood tests can help doctors diagnose heart issues before symptoms arise and prevent long-term complications. Someone due for a routine blood checkup should consult a doctor and schedule blood test for heart with Dr Lal PathLabs.
FAQs
1. What is the ideal range for good and bad blood cholesterol?
Good cholesterol levels should be more than 40 mg/dL, and bad cholesterol levels should be less than 130 mg/dL.
2. What does a high level of C reactive protein indicate?
A high level of C reactive protein indicates inflammation in the body, which can increase the risk of plaque buildup in the arteries.
