Heart Test

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that helps your body in building new cells, producing hormones, and insulating nerves. Generally, the liver makes cholesterol necessary for the body to perform these functions. However, several food items also have cholesterol in them like - meat, eggs, milk, etc.

Cholesterol is an essential substance for the healthy functioning of the body, but excessive cholesterol can be a high-risk factor for many heart diseases. Getting a Heart Test done is the best way to assess if you have any risk factors for heart conditions, in case you suspect it.

A Cholesterol Test is a type of Heart Test that can help in diagnosing if you are at risk of developing any heart conditions so that you are able to take the necessary steps. Generally, heart related diseases are preventable illnesses that need attention and monitoring and health tests to prevent their occurrence. The phlebotomist will take a small sample of blood from a vein and the sample will then be sent to the lab for the Heart Test you have chosen.

There are different types of heart diseases.

• Arrhythmia - A condition where the heart rhythm is abnormal.
• Atherosclerosis - Narrowing and hardening of arteries due to plaque build-u
• Cardiomyopathy - A condition where heart muscles grow hard or weak.
• Coronary artery disease - Also known as ischemic heart disease, is caused by plaque build-up in the arteries of the heart.
• Heart infections - They can be caused by bacteria, parasites or virus.
• Conditions that affect the blood vessels are known as cardiovascular diseases.

Why Heart Testing is important?

A high amount of cholesterol in the body can build up in the walls of your arteries, which causes a condition known as atherosclerosis, which is a kind of heart disease. In this condition, the arteries are narrowed because of plaque buildup and thus the flow of blood is reduced to various organs and tissues. Atherosclerosis can also lead to coronary artery disease, wherein the blood supply to the heart is impaired due to a blockage in the coronary arteries. This can cause a heart attack.

There are different types of Heart Tests available that can help in diagnosing if your heart is working well. A Serum Cholesterol Test is one type of Heart Test that an individual can get done. A Lipid Test includes a Cholesterol Test along with HDL, LDL, VLDL and ratios between the types of cholesterol.

A Lipid Profile Test is recommended to assess for risks of heart disease, especially if you are at higher risk because of family history, age or other contributing factors like obesity, high blood pressure etc. HbA1c Test is an effective screening test that can help you assess your condition and then work towards correcting it.

How Diabetes Blood Test is performed?

In a Lipid Profile Test the phlebotomist takes a sample of your blood and then levels of HDL, LDL, VLDL, triglycerides and their ratios to each other are checked. High cholesterol levels do not show any symptoms; in fact the symptoms of a heart attack are sometimes the first sign of cholesterol buildup. Hence, it is essential to get a regular Heart Test done.