Lab testing for heart disease

Seeing your doctor for a physical exam is a good first step toward staying healthy. However, many heart and vascular conditions are difficult to diagnose from a single exam. That’s why after a complete physical exam and review of your symptoms and health history, your doctor may refer you to one of our labs for additional tests.

With Aurora Health Care, you’ll have access to some of the best-equipped labs close to home.

What is lab testing?

These tests are a valuable tool to help your doctor diagnose, monitor and treat various health conditions, including heart disease.

Lab testing can:

• Check your electrolyte levels, which include sodium, magnesium and potassium. Abnormal electrolyte levels can help doctors detect kidney, heart and liver disease.
• Let your doctor know how certain medications, especially diuretics and some heart pills, are working
• Check for enzymes, which are released into the blood when cells are damaged. Some enzymes, such as creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Troponin T (cTNT), are helpful in detecting heart muscle damage caused by a heart attack.

Types of lab tests

Certain blood tests are done to look for signs of heart disease. Some of the laboratory tests we perform include:

• Apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1): This is the major protein in HDL, known as good cholesterol. Low levels of Apo A1 may mean you have an increased risk of early cardiovascular disease. This protein is seen more often if you are inactive, eat a high-fat diet and carry excess weight around your waist.
• Apolipoprotein B (Apo B): Another major protein found in cholesterol, Apo B may be a better marker for assessing coronary artery disease risk than LDL, known as bad cholesterol.
• Fibrinogen: This protein is essential for proper blood clot formation. However, high levels of fibrinogen are linked to an increased risk for heart attack and vascular disease.
• High Sensitivity C-reactive Protein (hsCRP): Studies show that a high CRP level is linked to an increased risk for heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Cholesterol-lowering drugs including statins may help reduce this risk.
• LDL-associated PLA2 (PLAC): This enzyme is associated with inflammation, stroke and heart attack
• Lipoprotein a (Lp(a)): High levels of this blood protein are linked to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Lp(a) is also related to the development of fatty matter in vein grafts after bypass surgery, narrowing of coronary arteries after angioplasty and an increased risk for developing blood clots.
• Myeloperoxidase (MPO): High levels are linked to an increased risk of heart attack. You can help reduce this risk by reducing LDL, improving your diet, increasing your physical activity and adding low-dose aspirin therapy.
• N-terminal-pro-B-type Natiuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP): This is a blood protein made in the heart and found in the blood. High levels of it are linked to heart attack and heart failure.
• Urine Albumin/Creatinine Ratio (Ualb/Cr): This can indicate an increased risk for kidney disease, diabetes complications and cardiovascular risks. If your Ualb/Cr is elevated, it’s important to reduce lipid levels, and control blood pressure and diabetes.
• B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP): This substance is secreted by the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart) when heart failure develops or worsens. Doctors test for this to diagnose heart failure.