Heart health profile

The Heart Health Profile is a comprehensive laboratory testing panel designed to assess cardiovascular risk factors, lipid metabolism, electrolyte balance, and the early detection of signs associated with heart failure.

The profile helps evaluate the risk of atherosclerosis and its complications, identify disorders of lipid metabolism and electrolyte balance, and detect biochemical markers of inflammation and cardiac stress. It can be used both for preventive health assessment and for monitoring patients with cardiovascular diseases or cardiovascular risk factors.

Components

Lipid profile

• Total cholesterol – overall assessment of lipid metabolism and the risk of atherosclerosis.
• LDL cholesterol – the primary indicator of the risk of atherosclerotic plaque formation.
• HDL cholesterol – the "protective" cholesterol involved in removing excess cholesterol from the bloodstream.
• Triglycerides – an indicator of lipid metabolism; elevated levels are associated with increased cardiovascular risk.

Electrolytes

• Ionized calcium – the biologically active form of calcium, essential for heart muscle contraction and maintenance of a normal heart rhythm.
• Potassium (K) – a key electrolyte involved in electrical impulse conduction and maintenance of a normal heart rhythm.
• Sodium (Na) – helps regulate fluid balance and blood pressure.
• Chloride (Cl) – contributes to maintaining acid-base and electrolyte balance.

Inflammation and cardiac function markers

• High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) – a marker of chronic inflammation used to assess the risk of cardiovascular complications.
• NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) – a marker of cardiac stress used in the detection and evaluation of heart failure.

Indications

• preventive assessment of cardiovascular health;
• presence of cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, smoking, sedentary lifestyle);
• history of elevated cholesterol or triglyceride levels;
• family history of early-onset cardiovascular disease;
• suspected atherosclerosis;
• assessment of the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke;
• shortness of breath, edema, fatigue, or other symptoms suggestive of heart failure;
• monitoring the effectiveness of treatment for cardiovascular diseases and disorders of lipid metabolism.

Method of examination

The tests are performed on a venous blood sample using automated biochemical and immunochemical methods, ensuring high accuracy and reproducibility of results.

Procedure

• a venous blood sample is collected;
• the sample is sent to the laboratory for biochemical and immunochemical analysis;
• each parameter is measured individually, after which a comprehensive laboratory report is generated.

Sources:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10970831/
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)
https://www.escardio.org/static-file/Escardio/Guidelines/publications/DYSLIPguidelines-dyslipidemias-FT.pdf
https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/CVD-Prevention
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6515513/