Check the Heart Disease factsheet out here.
You can purchase all Cardio Tests now on the shop here.
Cardio Testing Summary
With heart tests, you can look at what risk factors you may have and offset those risks very specifically to prevent problems developing or progressing in future. You can also test to see if you already have active heart disease as plaques formed during atherosclerosis release specific markers which can now be measured. It is so much more sophisticated nowadays than just looking at your cholesterol and blood pressure levels, if you know what to look for!
My advice if you fall into an ‘at risk’ category (familial history, high cholesterol, blood pressure or diabetes, fatty liver, poor diet/lifestyle, smoke or are obese especially with lots of belly fat) is to look. What’s the saying: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure…and all that?
I truly wish, given the heart disease statistics in this country – far more than cancer – that more people would do this. It’s not just about bloomin’ cholesterol!
Heart Tests
Do the CardioMetabolic Profile (serum). You can order these on the shop or direct using that link.
Here is a rundown from the lab of what tests like these look for – they are a world away from normal mainstream tests.
Metabolomic Profile
These are the pre-diabetes markers:
Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) – estimates the average blood glucose concentration for the life of the red blood cell (120 days).
Glycomark (1,5-anhydroglucitol) – more specific than the usual HbA1c, this shows likely blood sugar spikes after meals during the last 2 weeks rather than over 4 months. ‘Postprandial hyperglycaemia,’ as it is termed, is associated with cardiovascular disease and the reduction of hyperglycaemic events appear to decrease macro- and microvascular complications in diabetic patients. Low 1,5-AG is also associated with renal damage.
Insulin – levels of insulin rise early in type 2 diabetes and then decrease as pancreatic beta cells lose function.
Leptin – is a hormone produced by adipocytes to provide a satiety ‘full’ signal to the hypothalamus. Elevated circulating levels of leptin are associated with high body fat and leptin resistance. High levels of this adipokine have pro-inflammatory effects and leptin accelerates arterial foam cell formation.
Adiponectin – improves insulin sensitivity and stimulates glucose uptake and hepatic fatty acid oxidation. Very low levels of this anti-inflammatory adipokine may increase the risk of heart disease and some cancers.
Leptin to Adiponectin ratio– the ratio of leptin to adiponectin appears to be a sensitive indicator for a variety of adverse health conditions.
Cystatin C, Creatinine and eGFR – renal damage is a common consequence of Metabolic Syndrome and hyperglycaemia.
The CardioMetabolic version assesses all those markers above but also evaluates risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In addition to the traditional CVD risk factors, the test includes much more clinically sensitive atherogenic lipoprotein sub-species, the primary apolipoproteins, arterial inflammation and the activity of the lipoprotein- associated phospholipase- A2 (PLAC®).
PLAC® activity is a very sensitive indicator of active atherogenesis and instability of advanced arterial plaque. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is centred around insulin resistance and atherogenic dyslipoproteinemia, and is a risk factor associated with CVD and kidney disease. The test includes cystatin C to better assess glomerular filtration, and 1,5-anhydroglucitol (Glycomark®) that is a better indicator of hyperglycemic episodes than HbA1C. The primary adipokines associated with insulin sensitivity and hepatic fatty acid metabolism are also addressed.
It’s essentially an early warning test and I wish more people would do it!
The PULS Smart Vascular Test
This is such a useful test for those with a risk of developing heart attacks or stroke. It assesses vascular health by measuring protein biomarkers that indicate inflammation in the arterial lining that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. In other words: active problems developing. It gives a 5 year risk assessment. You can see a sample report here. Includes IL-16, Eotaxin, MCP-3, CTACK, sFas, Fas Ligand, HGF HDL, HbA1C. If something shows up, at least you know and can take steps to lower it.
Colab is a new test service in the UK and they have a really great range of specialised Cardio/Heart/Stroke tests. Check them out here, and ask me for prices.