What is a heart check test?
This test measures your blood sugar and the levels of cholesterol and lipids in your blood (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides). These markers are all key indicators of heart disease risk, and can often be improved through lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise.
The test is a finger prick test that you can take from the comfort of your home. Afterwards, your sample will be examined by a certified laboratory and you will receive the test results within a matter of days.
Our Preventive Health Check self test from our General Health Tests category lets you not only check your HbA1c and your cholesterol, but also many other factors that can indicate your hearth-health.
What’s in the test kit?
The test kit contains instructions for use, lancets to collect a small blood sample, a blood collection tube, alcohol wipes, band-aids, a protective transport bag and a return envelope to send your sample to a certified laboratory.
What is the test process for this test?
Homed-IQ’s Heart Check Test comes with everything you need to successfully take a blood sample from home. Simply activate your test and follow the supplied instructions to collect the sample and then send it to our certified laboratory using the prepaid shipping label. The results will be available within a few days.
Blood Sugar level (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?“.
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.
HDL% of total cholesterol
The percentage of total cholesterol refers to the amount of HDL (= “good” cholesterol) in the body that can fight the LDL (= “bad” cholesterol). The higher the percentage of total cholesterol is HDL, the better. To learn more about cholesterol, LDL and HDL, and why they are so important for a healthy well-being, check out our article “Cholesterol and your Health“.
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.
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
Risk factors for heart disease also have little to no symptoms, such as high cholesterol. Type II diabetes or prediabetes symptoms may include:
- Thirst
- Frequent urination
- Weight loss or gain
- Fatigue
- Sugar cravings
- Irritated easily
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
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), and Triglycerides 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.
About the Test
What is a heart check test?
This test measures your blood sugar and the levels of cholesterol and lipids in your blood (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides). These markers are all key indicators of heart disease risk, and can often be improved through lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise.
The test is a finger prick test that you can take from the comfort of your home. Afterwards, your sample will be examined by a certified laboratory and you will receive the test results within a matter of days.
What’s in the test kit?
The test kit contains instructions for use, lancets to collect a small blood sample, a blood collection tube, alcohol wipes, band-aids, a protective transport bag and a return envelope to send your sample to a certified laboratory.
What is the test process for this test?
Homed-IQ’s Heart Check Test comes with everything you need to successfully take a blood sample from home. Simply activate your test and follow the supplied instructions to collect the sample and then send it to our certified laboratory using the prepaid shipping label. The results will be available within a few days.
Summary of Biomarkers
Blood Sugar level (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.
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.
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.
HDL% of total cholesterol
The percentage of total cholesterol refers to the amount of HDL (= “good” cholesterol) in the body that can fight the LDL (= “bad” cholesterol). The higher the percentage of total cholesterol is HDL, the better.
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.
Symptoms
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
Risk factors for heart disease also have little to no symptoms, such as high cholesterol. Type II diabetes or prediabetes symptoms may include:
- Thirst
- Frequent urination
- Weight loss or gain
- Fatigue
- Sugar cravings
- Irritated easily
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
Results
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), and Triglycerides 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
All of Homed-IQ’s test results are reviewed by our in-house medical team. While you can trust that your results are 100% accurate, we always encourage you to take your results to your own doctor if you want a second opinion or additional medical advice.
Furthermore, the lab we work with is ISO15189 certified, which is the highest possible medical certification in Europe. It guarantees clinical correctness of the analysis of your sample.
If your cholesterol and/or sugar levels are out of balance, lifestyle interventions are the first line of treatment. Unsaturated fats, soluble fiber, and plant sterols and stanols can increase good HDL and decrease bad LDL. Exercise and weight loss can also help to improve your values. Eating trans fats and smoking are harmful and should be avoided at all times.
However, high blood sugar can also be a sign of Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes. Unfortunately, diabetes is not reversible (yet). But thanks to science, living with diabetes is no longer a burden and made easier than ever. To learn more about diabetes, feel free to check out our article “Symptoms of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes“.
Certain cardiac markers can indicate a heart attack on a blood test. However, these markers cannot be measured by a home test, which is to be used in non-emergency situations. If you suspect you are having a heart attack, urgently contact a healthcare provider for appropriate care.
Conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure can put extra stress on the heart and damage it, leading to heart failure. Symptoms of a weakened heart can often go unnoticed, but include:
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet
- Chest pain
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink tinged mucus
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, immediately see a health care provider. This test cannot diagnose heart failure.
You can use the results of this test to make lifestyle changes that lower your risk of heart disease, such as exercise more often or eat a diet lower in sugar or cholesterol. Do you have too low hemoglobin levels? Learn more about what you can do in our article “All about Hemoglobin“.
How It Works
Order Your Test
Once you have placed your order, your test kit will be delivered within days and in discreet packaging.
Activate & Collect Sample
After online activation of your test kit, you can collect your sample within a few minutes and mail it back to us in the pre-paid envelope.
View Results
A certified laboratory will review your sample and your test results will be available within a matter of days.
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