One person dies every 36 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease.
That may seem like a shocking statistic, but what's more surprising is that cardiovascular disease is also the leading cause of death in the US.
Thankfully, by utilizing blood testing for cardiovascular diseases, you can learn your risk factors and make changes in your life to help prevent future heart problems.
So, what is cardiovascular disease, and which heart and cardiovascular tests are used to help diagnose it? Keep reading to learn more about this deadly disease and how to prevent it.
What is Heart and Cardiovascular Disease?
Cardiovascular disease is a type of disease that affects the heart muscle or blood vessels. Heart and Cardiovascular Disease refers to several different conditions, such as heart failure, stroke, heart attack, and more. The most common type of cardiovascular disease in the US is Coronary Artery Disease.
Risk Factors for Heart and Cardiovascular Disease
Several risk factors may contribute to cardiovascular disease. The most common risk factors include:
- Family history of cardiovascular disease
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Overweight
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Unhealthy diet
- Diabetes
Causes of Heart and Cardiovascular Disease
Heart disease is common and can affect anyone, no matter your age or gender. So, it's essential to understand the risk factors and start taking steps toward prevention.
There are various causes of heart disease. Many things can impact your heart health, including medical conditions and lifestyle choices.
Continuous research shows the importance of eating a heart-healthy diet and frequently exercising to help keep your cardiovascular system healthy.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Heart and Cardiovascular Disease?
There are different symptoms of different types of cardiovascular diseases. Some of the most common symptoms to look out for include:
- Chest pain, tightness, or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Numbness, pain, cold, or weakness in your arms or legs
- Dizzy or lightheaded
- Irregular heartbeat
- Rapid or slow heart rate
How is Heart and Cardiovascular Disease Diagnosed?
While it's difficult to know for sure if someone has cardiovascular disease based on symptoms alone, it is possible to confirm the presence of some cardiovascular diseases with cardiovascular blood tests. Other heart and cardiovascular tests used to diagnose heart disease may include cardiovascular CT scans, a coronary angiogram, ECG machine tests, and more.
Lab Tests Used to Screen, Diagnose, and Monitor Heart and Cardiovascular Disease
There are several substances in your blood that can indicate whether or not you have heart trouble. For example, if you have high levels of bad cholesterol in your blood, it may suggest that you are at increased risk of having a heart attack. Other substances in your blood can help determine if you are at risk of developing plaques in your coronary arteries or if you have heart failure.
Heart health blood tests can also help your doctor diagnose and treat your heart problems. However, keep in mind that one blood test alone doesn't define your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Here's a list of some of the most common cardiovascular blood tests used to diagnose and manage heart disease.
Cardio IQ Tests
There are many Cardio IQ Tests available at Ulta Lab Tests. Cardio IQ testing helps provide an in-depth assessment of cardiovascular risks by measuring different substances in the blood. This can help your medical provider to recommend an individualized treatment option for you based on your results.
Some of the most popular Cardio IQ tests available at Ulta Lab Tests include:
- Cardio IQ Diabetes Risk Panel with Score
- Cardio IQ ASCVD Risk Panel with Score
- Cardio IQ™ ApoE Genotype
- Cardio IQ™ Apolipoprotein A-1
- Cardio IQ™ Apolipoprotein Evaluation
- Cardio IQ™ Direct LDL
- Cardio IQ™ Hemoglobin A1c
- and more
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
Cardiovascular diseases are among the most common illnesses. These include heart disease, stroke, and other heart and blood vessel disorders. Diagnostic blood testing will depend on the type and severity of the CVD.
Lab tests used to diagnose CVD may include:
- Complete Blood Count
- Lipoprotein (a)
- Lp-PLA2
- Apolipoprotein A1
- MTHFR Mutation
- APOE Genotyping
- Apolipoprotein B
- Homocysteine
- LDL Cholesterol
- Hs-CRP
- Fibrinogen
- Triglycerides
Cholesterol
It's vital to track your cholesterol and risk for linked heart disease, stroke, or heart attack. A lipid panel is a simple blood test that is used to check the levels of cholesterol in the blood.
The test produces four measures:
- Total or overall cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- LDL cholesterol
- HDL cholesterol
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Congestive heart failure happens when the heart muscle becomes weakened and can't pump blood to the rest of the body as well as it should. This often causes blood to back up, and fluid builds up in the lungs, causing the patient to feel short of breath.
Some people have heart conditions that make it difficult for the heart to work properly. These include high blood pressure and narrowed arteries in the heart (coronary artery disease).
Blood Tests used to detect these conditions may include:
- Basic Metabolic Panel
- Urinalysis
- NT-proBNP and BNP
- Complete blood count
- Electrolytes
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Coronary artery disease is a serious condition that can lead to a heart attack or stroke if left untreated. Many people don't even realize they have this disease because it often develops over many years, as your blood vessels build up with cholesterol-containing deposits (plaques) and become inflamed.
The lipoprotein test is one test that is performed to screen for coronary artery disease. Doctors use this test to determine the level of LDL cholesterol that has attached to the coronary artery. If you have a high level of LDL, you may need further heart tests.
With other specific blood tests, you may be able to find out if you have or are at risk for Coronary Artery Disease. Some of these tests may include:
- LDL Cholesterol
- HDL Cholesterol
- Lactate Dehydrogenase
- Creatine Kinase
- Triglycerides
- Hs-CRP
- NT-proBNP and BNP
- Myoglobin
- Homocysteine
Heart Attack Risk
The arteries that feed the heart (coronary arteries) can narrow or become so clogged with fat, cholesterol, and other substances that blood flow to your heart is reduced or cut off. This is what causes a heart attack, and it is a serious medical emergency.
It's critical to call 911 or emergency medical help if you think you, or someone you love, might be having a heart attack.
Blood tests that you may need to determine your heart attack risk include the following:
- Creatine Kinase
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
- NT-proBNP and BNP
- hs-CRP
- Myoglobin
- Complete Blood Count
Heart Disease
Heart disease encompasses many conditions, including heart failure, coronary artery disease, and more. Blood tests will depend on your symptoms and the type of heart disease you have and may include the following.
- HDL cholesterol
- LDL Cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- Creatine Kinase
- Myoglobin
- NT-proBNP and BNP
- Homocysteine
- Lactate Dehydrogenase
- Hs-CRP
Heart Health
Your blood contains substances that are released when your heart muscle is damaged, such as after a heart attack. These substances can be measured in your blood and may give a readout of the amount of damage to your heart muscle.
There are several blood tests used to measure heart health. In addition, a general heart health panel can be ordered to test for multiple heart diseases.
Such lab tests may include:
- Lipid panels (levels of HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides, and cholesterol)
- Hs-CRP
- Lp(a)
- Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)
These tests may be done in combination with other lab tests for more information and details.
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Blood pressure is the measure of the force with which your blood pushes against the walls of your blood vessels. And when your blood pressure is too high, it can be dangerous and cause other issues.
Based on an individual's medical history, physical exam, and routine laboratory test results, some blood tests may be used to help detect and monitor conditions causing hypertension, such as:
- Microalbumin with creatinine
- Glucose
- Calcium
- Hemoglobin A1c
- Lipid Panel
- TSH
- Aldosterone
- Urinalysis
- Cortisol
- Potassium
- Urine protein
Stroke
A stroke happens when blood supply to the brain is reduced or disrupted, stopping brain tissue from receiving nutrients and oxygen. Brain cells often start to die within minutes. Strokes are considered a medical emergency.
Tests for a stroke may measure the following substances:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Blood glucose
- Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
- Electrolytes
- Prothrombin time (PT) and INR
- Lipid panel, which includes cholesterol, HDL, and LDL
Vasculitis
Vasculitis is known as a rare inflammatory disease of the blood vessels. This inflammation can cause the walls of the blood vessels to thicken, which narrows the delicate passageways through which blood flows. The restricted blood flow can cause severe damage to organs and tissues.
Diagnosing vasculitis can be tricky. However, blood tests that scan for specific antibodies, such as the anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) test, can help detect and diagnose vasculitis.
Frequently Asked Questions About Heart and Cardiovascular Disease and Lab Testing
Need more information? Find answers to some of the most common questions about Heart and Cardiovascular Disease below.
Is Hypertension a Cardiovascular Disease?
Yes. There are many health risks associated with high blood pressure (hypertension), including heart disease.
How Do You Prevent Cardiovascular Disease?
Heart disease continues to be a considerable health problem in the US. Screening for cardiovascular disease with blood testing is vital to early detection. Plus, with a few simple lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, managing stress, and eating healthy, you can significantly reduce your chances of getting heart disease.
Are Cardiovascular Disease and Heart Disease the Same Thing?
Yes and no. Heart disease is a type of Cardiovascular disease, but not all Cardiovascular diseases are heart disease.
Heart disease refers to a specific type of cardiovascular disease that includes numerous issues, many of which are linked to a process called atherosclerosis.
Arteries are like highways that carry blood throughout the body. They have thick walls that keep blood flowing and prevent it from clotting. Atherosclerosis occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries. The plaques can narrow a person's arteries, making it harder for blood to flow. In addition, plaques may break away and completely block an artery, causing severe problems, like a heart attack or stroke.
How Do You Test for Heart Function?
A cardiovascular blood test can help determine whether you're at risk for heart failure. Testing blood for specific traits is one of the best ways to check your heart health and prevent heart disease.
Benefits of Heart and Cardiovascular Disease Lab Testing with Ulta Lab Tests
Ulta Lab Tests offers cardiovascular diagnostic tests that are highly accurate and reliable so that you can make informed decisions about your health. Here are a few great things to love about Ulta Lab Tests:
- You'll get secure and confidential results
- You don't need health insurance
- You don't need a physician's referral
- You'll get affordable pricing
- We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee
Order your Heart and Cardiovascular Disease lab tests today, and your results will be provided to you securely and confidentially online in 24 to 48 hours for most tests.
Take control of your heart health with Ulta Lab Tests today!
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