A wide variety of blood tests are available to measure factors related to heart disease. However, it’s important to know which tests actually indicate your chances of heart problems accurately. Traditional tests such as LDL-C (the “bad” cholesterol) and HDL-C (the “good” cholesterol) levels are proving to be poor indicators of inflammation and atherosclerosis. Instead, healthcare providers should measure lipoprotein (LDL and HDL) particle number and size.
An electrocardiogram (ECG) can show abnormalities of heart function, but these typically appear after the disease has already damaged your heart. Similarly, exercise treadmill testing (the cardiac stress test) is losing credibility due to its lack of accuracy in predicting heart disease. A more effective imaging study is the Intima Media Thickness (IMT) test, which uses ultrasound to measure the atherosclerosis taking place in your heart.
Blood pressure measurement is the simplest, most cost-effective and predictive test of heart disease. High blood pressure can be an indicator for factors such as reduced blood vessel elasticity, developing atherosclerosis, abnormal blood sugar and insulin metabolism, dysfunctional heart-related hormones, and changes in kidney function.
After taking into consideration blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and body weight, consider the next level of blood and urine tests used to assess cardiovascular risk. These include:
- Lipoprotein (LDL and HDL) particle number and size tests to better understand the formation of atherosclerotic plaque.
- Plasma renin activity and serum aldosterone level tests to analyze the control of blood pressure via blood vessel constriction and salt/fluid retention.
- Serum iron tests that help determine the relationship between increased iron, heart disease, and stroke.
- Microalbuminuria tests that could reveal early signs of abnormalities in your vascular system through your kidneys.
- Fasting blood sugar and insulin levels tests to establish their relationship with inflammation in the heart.
- Hormone level tests for free testosterone and DHEA-S.
- Homocysteine level tests to show its connection to the development of atherosclerosis.
- Highly sensitive C – reactive protein (HS-CRP) to test overall inflammation levels in the body.
- Pro-inflammatory cytokine tests to measure the chemical mediators of inflammation.
- Lipoprotein(a) tests to establish genetic risks for hidden heart disease.
- Apolipoprotein A1 and B tests to study proteins associated with increased risk of early cardiovascular disease.
- Fibrinogen tests to analyze proteins related to increased risk for cardiovascular disease and heart attacks.
- Myeloperoxidase (MPO) tests for an enzyme marker predicting a high risk of heart attacks.
- Beta Natiuretic Peptide (BNP) tests that are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and weakening heart muscles.
- 25-hydroxy Vitamin D tests to show the correlation between vitamin D deficiency and increased risk of heart attack.
Knowledge of the most useful tests for assessing heart disease risk will allow you to take control of your cardiovascular health and make informed decisions about preventative measures or treatments. Consult with your healthcare provider to determine which tests are most appropriate for you.
