Basic Heart Health Panel

The Basic Heart Health Panel is a test used to uncover risk factors that may increase a patient’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease, like hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, and high blood glucose levels.

 Fasting Instructions:

Fasting is required for this lab test. You should not consume food or beverages other than water for at least 8 hours prior to visiting the lab. If you choose not to fast, it may affect your results.

Why Is It Important to Regularly Test Heart Health?

In the United States, cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death for both men and women. Heart health screenings are an important step in lowering one’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease and in identifying the early signs of cardiovascular disease to prevent its progression.

The Basic Heart Health Panel provides maximum benefit when done annually. Doing so allows healthcare providers to prescribe early treatment options to prevent cardiovascular disease from progressing. It also allows healthcare providers to suggest appropriate lifestyle changes to try and reduce the risk that the patient might develop heart disease. For example, if the results of two consecutive Basic Heart Health Panels show an increase in LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol), patients can take steps to lower LDL cholesterol and therefore reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the future.

Who Should Consider This Panel?

Any individual who wishes to monitor their cardiovascular health should consider a Basic Heart Health Panel.

Men and women with a higher than average risk of developing heart disease may also want to consider the Basic Heart Health Panel in the hopes of catching cardiovascular conditions in their early stages. People who have a higher than average risk of developing heart disease include men and women:

• With a family history of cardiovascular disease
• With a previous history of cardiovascular events, like heart attack and/or stroke
• Who are physically inactive
• Who smoke tobacco
• 65 years of age and older

What to Expect from the Lab Visit?

To complete the Basic Heart Health Panel, patients will need to provide both a blood sample and a urine sample. The Basic Heart Health Panel includes a Lipid and Cholesterol Panel, which requires that patients fast for 9 to 12 hours before testing. No food or drink (except for water) should be consumed during this time.

To order the Basic Heart Health Panel, simply purchase the test on our website and visit the laboratory closest to you—find the most convenient location using our lab locator. You do not need to make an appointment. At your convenience, stop by the lab and hand them your lab requisition form. The results of your Basic Heart Health Panel will arrive in your HealthLabs.com account within one to three business days.

Sources:

1. “How are urine tests used to diagnose heart failure?” WebMD.  https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/qa/how-are-urine-tests-used-to-diagnose-heart-failure
2. Madjid M and Fatemi O. Components of the Complete Blood Count as Risk Predictors for Coronary Heart Disease. Texas Heart Institute Journal. 2013;40(1):17–29. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3568280/
3. “C-Reactive Protein Test.” Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/c-reactive-protein-test/about/pac-20385228
4. “Heart Disease Facts.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm
5. “Heart disease in women: Understand symptoms and risk factors.” Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-disease/art-20046167
6. “Heart Health and Aging.” National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/heart-health-and-aging#prevent