Heart Health
Heart Health
Maintaining heart health is crucial for overall well-being and longevity. Regular heart health blood tests play a vital role in assessing cardiovascular risk factors and detecting potential issues early.
Written by Aisling Moran BSc (Hons)
4th Aug 2022 • 4 min read
What is Heart Health?
It refers to the overall condition and function of the heart and circulatory system.
It encompasses factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar, inflammation markers, and overall cardiovascular fitness.
Why Heart Health Blood Tests Are Important:
Early Detection: Blood tests can detect risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol, elevated blood sugar levels, and inflammation, before symptoms develop.
Prevention: Identifying risk factors early allows for timely intervention and lifestyle modifications to prevent heart disease and related complications.
Monitoring: Regular blood tests help monitor the effectiveness of treatments and lifestyle changes in managing cardiovascular risk factors over time.
Who Needs to this Tests:
Individuals with risk factors for heart disease, including:
Family history of heart disease
High blood pressure
Obesity
Sedentary lifestyle
Those with existing heart conditions or a history of heart-related issues.
What's Covered in Heart Health Blood Tests:
Lipid Profile: Measures cholesterol levels, including LDL (bad cholesterol), HDL (good cholesterol), and triglycerides.
Fasting Blood Glucose: Assesses blood sugar levels after fasting to screen for diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance.
C-reactive Protein (CRP): Measures inflammation levels in the body, which can indicate increased cardiovascular risk.
Complete Blood Count (CBC): Checks for conditions like anemia or infections that may affect heart function
Electrolytes: Evaluates levels of essential minerals like potassium and sodium, which are crucial for heart function.
How to Maintain Good Heart Function
Eat a Balanced Diet: Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats while limiting processed foods, salt, and added sugars.
Stay Active: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise.
Maintain a Healthy Weight: Strive for a body mass index (BMI) within the healthy range and avoid excessive weight gain.
Manage Stress: Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to reduce stress levels.
Get Quality Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night to support heart and overall well-being.
Avoid Smoking and Limit Alcohol: Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake to reduce cardiovascular risk factors.
American Heart Association. (https://www.heart.org)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (https://www.cdc.gov)
Mayo Clinic. (https://www.mayoclinic.org)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. ( Advancing Heart, Lung, Blood, and Sleep Research & Innovation | NHLBI, NIH )
Get our newsletter
Sign up to get the inside scoop on our latest content and updates in our monthly newsletter.
