About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Blood Tests
Introduction
Blood tests play a crucial role in diagnosing and managing cardiovascular disease (CVD). These tests help assess risk factors, detect underlying conditions, and monitor treatment effectiveness.
Key Blood Tests for CVD
1. Lipid Panel (Cholesterol Test)
- Measures total cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol), HDL (good cholesterol), and triglycerides.
- High LDL and triglyceride levels increase CVD risk, while high HDL is protective.
2. High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)
- Measures inflammation in blood vessels.
- Elevated hs-CRP levels indicate a higher risk of atherosclerosis and heart attack.
3. Troponin Test
- Detects heart muscle damage.
- Used for diagnosing acute heart attacks (myocardial infarction).
4. B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Test
- Assesses heart failure severity.
- High BNP levels suggest heart dysfunction and fluid overload.
5. Blood Glucose and HbA1c
- Detects diabetes and prediabetes, which are major CVD risk factors.
- HbA1c reflects long-term blood sugar levels.
6. Kidney Function Tests (Creatinine and eGFR)
- Poor kidney function is linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Measures the efficiency of kidney filtration.
7. Electrolytes and Calcium Levels
- Imbalances can affect heart rhythm and muscle function.
Interpretation and Next Steps
- High-risk results may require lifestyle changes (healthy diet, exercise, weight management).
- Medication might be needed (statins, blood pressure control, diabetes management).
- Further testing (ECG, echocardiography) may be advised if abnormalities are found.
Always consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and personalized recommendations.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines on Cholesterol Management
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol
- https://professional.heart.org/en/
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/prevention-and-treatment-of-high-cholesterol-hyperlipidemia
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000625
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterol/what-your-cholesterol-levels-mean
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Dyslipidemias
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Dyslipidaemias-Management-of
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/41/1/111/5556353
- https://www.escardio.org/static-file/Escardio/Guidelines/publications/DYSLIPguidelines-dyslipidemias-FT.pdf
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9737468/
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/CVD-and-Diabetes-Guidelines
3. American Diabetes Association Guidelines on Cardiovascular Risk
- https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/47/Supplement_1/S179/153957/10-Cardiovascular-Disease-and-Risk-Management
- https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/complications/cardiovascular-disease
- https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/45/Supplement_1/S144/138910/10-Cardiovascular-Disease-and-Risk-Management
- https://diabetes.org/newsroom/american-diabetes-association-2023-standards-care-diabetes-guide-for-prevention-diagnosis-treatment-people-living-with-diabetes
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38078592/
4. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Cardiovascular Prevention
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/CVD-Prevention-Guidelines
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/34/3227/6358713
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/CVD-and-Diabetes-Guidelines
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34458905/
- https://www.portailvasculaire.fr/sites/default/files/docs/2021_esc_guidelines_prevention_cardiovasculaire_ehj.pdf
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
Best practices from USA, EU and Japan
Our answers to your questions are based on the clinical recommendations of countries with the most developed healthcare systems in the field of cardiology in the USA, the EU and Japan.
Always up-to-date information
On a daily basis, we monitor for you all new scientific research publications in leading scientific journals on medical issues of interest to you.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
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Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.