Heart Disease Blood Test Extensive

Cholesterol and lipids

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is produced in the liver and is found in every cell of the body. There are two types of cholesterol: one in the form of HDL (high-density cholesterol) and LDL (low-density cholesterol). HDL is also referred to as the ‘good’ cholesterol and LDL is known as the ‘bad’ cholesterol. An elevated cholesterol level is defined as total cholesterol above 6.5 mmol / l.

HDL

High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) is also known as the “good” cholesterol because it transports excess bad cholesterol to your liver to clear it. Higher HDL levels are associated with lower risk of heart attack and stroke. Lifestyle changes such as increasing exercise, quitting smoking, and improving one’s diet have been seen to increase HDL. Check out our article “What is HDL” to learn more about HDL.

LDL

Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) transports cholesterol throughout the body, creating the risk that cholesterol builds up in the arteries and can cause cardiovascular disease. Elevated LDL can indicate increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are the most common types of fats in the body. Excess calories, alcohol and sugars are converted into triglycerides and stored in the body as fat. An elevated triglyceride level increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Lipoprotein(a)

Lipoprotein(a), also known as Lp(a), is a fat-like particle found in the blood. It is similar to LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol), but it has an extra protein structure attached to it called apolipoprotein(a). The amount of Lp(a) in the blood is mostly determined by your genes and stays fairly constant throughout life.

High levels of Lp(a) in the blood can contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries (atherosclerosis), as it promotes the formation of blockages and can interfere with the breakdown of blood clots. This increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke.

Unlike other types of cholesterol, Lp(a) is not easily influenced by diet, exercise, or standard cholesterol-lowering medications. If levels are elevated, doctors may focus more intensively on managing other risk factors—like blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, or lifestyle habits—to reduce overall risk.

Blood sugar (HbA1C)

This test result gives an indication of your average blood sugar level over the past three months. HbA1C measures the percentage of blood sugar attached to hemoglobin, the blood protein that carries oxygen. The higher the percentage, the higher your blood sugar. A high blood sugar level can be an indicator for diabetes type 1 and diabetes type 2. To learn more about HbA1c, check out our full article “What is HbA1c?“.

Symptoms of heart disease

Heart disease in early stages often has few symptoms. You may not notice any symptoms until you are having a heart attack, angina, stroke, or heart failure. Symptoms can include:

• Chest pain, pressure, tightness, or discomfort
• Pain in the neck, jaw, abdomen, or back
• Shortness of breath
• Pain, numbness, coldness, or weakness in legs or arms

How soon will I receive my test results?

Once you have collected your sample and then mailed it to our laboratory, it generally takes a few working days before you receive the test result. As soon as your test sample arrives at the laboratory you will receive a notification by email. Once your test result is ready, you will receive a text message and an email from us with a link to your test result. We will therefore keep you well informed throughout the entire testing process!

What does the result of this test mean?

This test measures the blood sugar (HbA1C, HbA1L), cholesterol, High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride, and lipoprotein(a) levels in your blood. Based on the test result, it can be determined whether abnormal levels present a heart disease or diabetes risk, and whether follow-up care is needed with a GP.