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.
Laboratory Tests for Heart Function
Introduction
The heart is a vital organ responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. Assessing its function is crucial in diagnosing and managing cardiovascular diseases. Doctors often use laboratory tests to evaluate heart health, detect damage, and monitor treatment effectiveness.
Key Laboratory Tests
1. Troponin (Troponin I and Troponin T)
- Purpose: Detects heart muscle damage, primarily in heart attacks.
- Significance: Even small elevations indicate potential cardiac injury.
2. Creatine Kinase-MB (CK-MB)
- Purpose: Helps diagnose heart attacks; CK-MB is an enzyme found in heart muscle cells.
- Significance: Elevated levels indicate heart muscle injury but can also rise due to skeletal muscle damage.
3. Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) & N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP)
- Purpose: Assesses heart failure severity.
- Significance: Higher levels suggest worsening heart failure.
4. C-reactive Protein (CRP) and High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP)
- Purpose: Measures inflammation in the body, which contributes to heart disease.
- Significance: Elevated levels are linked to increased cardiovascular risk.
5. Lipid Profile (Cholesterol Tests)
- Components:
- Total cholesterol
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) – “bad” cholesterol
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) – “good” cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- Purpose: Assesses risk for atherosclerosis and heart disease.
6. Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium)
- Purpose: Imbalances in electrolytes can lead to arrhythmias and other heart issues.
7. Blood Sugar (Glucose) and Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
- Purpose: Assesses diabetes risk, which is a major factor in heart disease.
8. D-dimer
- Purpose: Helps diagnose blood clots, which can lead to heart attacks or pulmonary embolisms.
9. Liver and Kidney Function Tests
- Purpose: The liver and kidneys play roles in heart health; dysfunction can aggravate cardiac conditions.
Conclusion
Laboratory tests provide essential insights into heart health, helping in the early detection and management of cardiac diseases. Your doctor will determine which tests are necessary based on symptoms, risk factors, and medical history.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements
- https://www.heart.org/
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-statements
- https://cpr.heart.org/en/resuscitation-science/cpr-and-ecc-guidelines
- https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/34/3227/6358713
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/44/39/4043/7238227
- https://www.escardio.org/
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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.
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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.