Ulta Lab Tests

Omega-3 and Advanced Heart Risk Panel — Comprehensive

The Omega-3 & Advanced Heart Risk Panel — Comprehensive delivers a deeper look at cardiovascular and metabolic health by combining advanced lipid markers, inflammation testing, glycemic assessment, and omega-3 status. Measuring ApoB, lipoprotein(a), lipid ratios, insulin, hemoglobin A1c, hs-CRP, and OmegaCheck, this panel provides an integrated view of heart disease risk and cardiometabolic balance.

Serum, Blood
Phlebotomist

The following is a list of what is included in the item above. Click the test(s) below to view what biomarkers are measured along with an explanation of what the biomarker is measuring.

Apolipoprotein B

Also known as: A1c, Glycated Hemoglobin, Glycohemoglobin, Glycosylated Hemoglobin, HA1c, HbA1c, Hemoglobin A1c, Hemoglobin A1c HgbA1C, Hgb A1c

HEMOGLOBIN A1C

The A1c test evaluates the average amount of glucose in the blood over the last 2 to 3 months. It does this by measuring the concentration of glycated (also often called glycosylated) hemoglobin A1c. Hemoglobin is an oxygen-transporting protein found inside red blood cells (RBCs). There are several types of normal hemoglobin, but the predominant form – about 95-98% – is hemoglobin A. As glucose circulates in the blood, some of it spontaneously binds to hemoglobin A. The hemoglobin molecules with attached glucose are called glycated hemoglobin. The higher the concentration of glucose in the blood, the more glycated hemoglobin is formed. Once the glucose binds to the hemoglobin, it remains there for the life of the red blood cell – normally about 120 days. The predominant form of glycated hemoglobin is referred to as HbA1c or A1c. A1c is produced on a daily basis and slowly cleared from the blood as older RBCs die and younger RBCs (with non-glycated hemoglobin) take their place. This test is used to monitor treatment in someone who has been diagnosed with diabetes. It helps to evaluate how well their glucose levels have been controlled by treatment over time. This test may be used to screen for and diagnose diabetes or risk of developing diabetes. In 2010, clinical practice guidelines from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) stated that A1c may be added to fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) as an option for diabetes screening and diagnosis. For monitoring purposes, an A1c of less than 7% indicates good glucose control and a lower risk of diabetic complications for the majority of diabetics. However, in 2012, the ADA and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) issued a position statement recommending that the management of glucose control in type 2 diabetes be more "patient-centered." Data from recent studies have shown that low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can cause complications and that people with risk of severe hypoglycemia, underlying health conditions, complications, and a limited life expectancy do not necessarily benefit from having a stringent goal of less than 7% for their A1c. The statement recommends that people work closely with their doctor to select a goal that reflects each person's individual health status and that balances risks and benefits.

Also known as: C-Reactive Protein, Cardio CRP, Cardio hs-CRP, CRP, High Sensitivity CRP, High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein, High-sensitivity CRP, Highly Sensitive CRP, hsCRP, Ultra-sensitive CRP

Hs Crp

A high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) test may be used by itself, in combination with other cardiac risk markers, or in combination with a lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) test that evaluates vascular inflammation. The hs-CRP test accurately detects low concentrations of C-reactive protein to help predict a healthy person's risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). High-sensitivity CRP is promoted by some as a test for determining a person's risk level for CVD, heart attacks, and strokes. The current thinking is that hs-CRP can play a role in the evaluation process before a person develops one of these health problems.

Also known as: Insulin (fasting)

Insulin

Insulin is a hormone that is produced and stored in the beta cells of the pancreas. It is vital for the transportation and storage of glucose at the cellular level, helps regulate blood glucose levels, and has a role in lipid metabolism. When blood glucose levels rise after a meal, insulin is released to allow glucose to move into tissue cells, especially muscle and adipose (fat) cells, where is it is used for energy production. Insulin then prompts the liver to either store the remaining excess blood glucose as glycogen for short-term energy storage and/or to use it to produce fatty acids. The fatty acids are eventually used by adipose tissue to synthesize triglycerides to form the basis of a longer term, more concentrated form of energy storage. Without insulin, glucose cannot reach most of the body's cells. Without glucose, the cells starve and blood glucose levels rise to unhealthy levels. This can cause disturbances in normal metabolic processes that result in various disorders, including kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and vision and neurological problems. Thus, diabetes, a disorder associated with decreased insulin effects, is eventually a life-threatening condition.

Also known as: Lipid Panel with Ratios (fasting), Lipid Profile with Ratios (fasting), Lipids

Chol/HDLC Ratio

Cholesterol, Total

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that occurs naturally in all parts of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to work properly. But if you have too much in your blood, it can combine with other substances in the blood and stick to the walls of your arteries. This is called plaque. Plaque can narrow your arteries or even block them. High levels of cholesterol in the blood can increase your risk of heart disease. Your cholesterol levels tend to rise as you get older. There are usually no signs or symptoms that you have high blood cholesterol, but it can be detected with a blood test. You are likely to have high cholesterol if members of your family have it, if you are overweight or if you eat a lot of fatty foods. You can lower your cholesterol by exercising more and eating more fruits and vegetables. You also may need to take medicine to lower your cholesterol.

HDL Cholesterol

LDL-Cholesterol

LDL/HDL Ratio

Non HDL Cholesterol

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are a form of fat and a major source of energy for the body. This test measures the amount of triglycerides in the blood. Most triglycerides are found in fat (adipose) tissue, but some triglycerides circulate in the blood to provide fuel for muscles to work. After a person eats, an increased level of triglycerides is found in the blood as the body converts the energy not needed right away into fat. Triglycerides move via the blood from the gut to adipose tissue for storage. In between meals, triglycerides are released from fat tissue to be used as an energy source for the body. Most triglycerides are carried in the blood by lipoproteins called very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). High levels of triglycerides in the blood are associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), although the reason for this is not well understood. Certain factors can contribute to high triglyceride levels and to risk of CVD, including lack of exercise, being overweight, smoking cigarettes, consuming excess alcohol, and medical conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease.

Also known as: Lipoprotein A, Lp (a), Lp(a)

Lipoprotein (A)

Lipoprotein-a, or Lp(a) are molecules made of proteins and fat. They carry cholesterol and similar substances through the blood. A high level of Lp(a) is considered a risk factor for heart disease. High levels of lipoproteins can increase the risk of heart disease. The test is done to check your risk of atherosclerosis, stroke, and heart attack.

ARACHIDONIC ACID

ARACHIDONIC ACID/EPA

DHA

DPA

EPA

EPA+DPA+DHA

LINOLEIC ACID

OMEGA-3 TOTAL

OMEGA-6 TOTAL

OMEGA-6/OMEGA-3 RATIO

*Important Information on Lab Test Processing Times: Ulta Lab Tests is committed to informing you about the processing times for your lab tests processed through a national lab. Please note that the estimated processing time for each test, indicated in business days, is based on data from the past 30 days across the 13 laboratories for each test. These estimates are intended to serve as a guide and are not guarantees. Factors such as laboratory workload, weather conditions, holidays, and the need for additional testing or maintenance can influence actual processing times. We aim to offer estimates to help you plan accordingly. Please understand that these times may vary, and processing times are not guaranteed. Thank you for choosing Ulta Lab Tests for your laboratory needs.

The Omega-3 and Advanced Heart Risk Panel — Comprehensive panel contains 7 tests with 22 biomarkers .

The Omega-3 and Advanced Heart Risk Panel — Comprehensive is an in-depth cardiovascular laboratory assessment designed to evaluate lipid-related risk, metabolic status, inflammation, and omega-3 fatty acid balance within a single, integrated panel. Rather than relying solely on standard cholesterol measurements, this panel incorporates advanced markers that provide greater insight into atherosclerotic risk, insulin metabolism, and systemic inflammation—key drivers of cardiovascular health.

Heart disease risk is influenced by multiple interconnected pathways, including lipid particle burden, glucose regulation, inflammatory signaling, and fatty acid composition within cell membranes. Traditional lipid panels can overlook important risk contributors such as apolipoprotein B concentration, lipoprotein(a), or omega-3 status. This panel addresses those gaps by combining advanced lipid markers with glycemic and inflammatory biomarkers and a direct measurement of omega-3 fatty acids.

The Omega-3 & Advanced Heart Risk Panel — Comprehensive is often used in preventive cardiometabolic care, advanced lipid evaluation, and long-term cardiovascular monitoring. By bringing together markers that reflect cholesterol transport, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and omega-3 sufficiency, the panel offers a more complete and clinically relevant picture of cardiovascular and metabolic health than conventional testing alone.

When and Why Someone Would Order This Panel

Advanced Cardiovascular Risk Assessment

This panel is commonly ordered when individuals or healthcare providers want a deeper evaluation of heart disease risk beyond standard cholesterol testing. Markers such as apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein(a) can identify elevated atherogenic particle burden even when LDL cholesterol appears within expected ranges.

Evaluating Metabolic and Insulin-Related Risk

Insulin resistance and impaired glucose metabolism play a central role in cardiovascular disease. Measuring hemoglobin A1c and fasting insulin together helps provide insight into long-term blood glucose exposure and insulin dynamics, which are important for assessing cardiometabolic risk.

Assessing Inflammation and Vascular Stress

Low-grade systemic inflammation contributes to plaque formation and vascular dysfunction. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is frequently used to evaluate inflammatory activity that may influence cardiovascular risk independently of lipid levels.

Understanding Omega-3 Fatty Acid Status

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, are associated with cardiovascular and metabolic health. Dietary intake alone does not always reflect tissue-level omega-3 status. OmegaCheck provides a direct measurement of omega-3 levels in red blood cell membranes, offering insight into long-term fatty acid balance.

Preventive and Longitudinal Monitoring

This panel is well suited for individuals focused on preventive health, those monitoring known cardiovascular risk factors, or patients tracking changes over time related to diet, lifestyle, or clinical management strategies.

What Does the Panel Measure

Advanced Lipid Markers

Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) reflects the total number of atherogenic lipoprotein particles, including LDL, VLDL, and remnants. Lipoprotein(a) is a genetically influenced lipoprotein associated with increased cardiovascular risk and is not captured by standard lipid testing. The lipid panel with ratios evaluates total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and clinically relevant ratios that help contextualize lipid balance.

Glycemic and Insulin Markers

Hemoglobin A1c provides an estimate of average blood glucose levels over approximately three months, while fasting insulin offers insight into insulin sensitivity and metabolic efficiency. Together, these markers help assess cardiometabolic health and glucose-related risk.

Inflammatory Marker

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a marker of low-grade systemic inflammation associated with cardiovascular risk. Elevated hs-CRP can indicate increased vascular stress even in the absence of abnormal cholesterol levels.

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Status

OmegaCheck measures the percentage of EPA and DHA in red blood cell membranes, reflecting long-term omega-3 status rather than short-term dietary intake. This provides a stable and clinically meaningful assessment of omega-3 balance.

How Patients and Healthcare Providers Use the Results

Identifying Cardiovascular Risk Patterns

Results from this panel help identify patterns of atherogenic risk, inflammation, insulin resistance, and omega-3 insufficiency that may not be apparent with standard testing. Providers interpret these markers collectively to better understand cardiovascular risk drivers.

Supporting Evaluation of Related Conditions

Healthcare providers may reference this panel when evaluating laboratory patterns associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, or inflammation-related vascular stress.

Monitoring Over Time

Because these biomarkers reflect both long-term and dynamic processes, repeat testing can help track trends in lipid burden, inflammation, glycemic control, and omega-3 status over time, supporting continuity of care.

Facilitating Informed Health Discussions

The panel provides objective data that supports evidence-based conversations between patients and healthcare providers regarding cardiovascular and metabolic health, without relying on single markers or assumptions.

The Omega-3 & Advanced Heart Risk Panel — Comprehensive offers a multifaceted approach to cardiovascular and metabolic assessment by integrating advanced lipid markers, glycemic indicators, inflammation testing, and omega-3 fatty acid measurement. This layered design reflects the complex nature of heart disease risk, emphasizing context and interaction rather than isolated values.

By providing insight into cholesterol particle burden, insulin metabolism, inflammatory activity, and omega-3 status, the panel supports informed interpretation and long-term monitoring. Whether used for preventive screening, advanced risk evaluation, or ongoing health oversight, this comprehensive panel delivers clinically meaningful laboratory data that complements individualized care and thoughtful decision-making.

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