Blood Tests for Heart Disease and Heart Attacks
There are several heart disease indicators that
can be found in our blood stream. Some are indicators of cardiac
risk factors, others, of actual heart damage occurring.
Lipid levels, fats
- HDL
"High Density Lipoproteins" also known as the
good cholesterol is lipoproteins that are produced by the body.
The HDL particles flow in the blood stream and protect the arterial
walls from developing the plaque that cause heart disease. If
the amount of HDL found in the bloodstream is very low you are
at a greater risk of developing heart disease.
- LDL
"Low density lipoprotein"- also known as the bad cholesterol,
also known as the bad cholesterol, These Lipoproteins are produced
by the body to protect the arterial walls form bruises and blemishes.
If there are too many LDL particles floating in the blood stream
they stick to the arterial walls causing blockages and narrowing
of the arteries. When the level of LDL in the blood stream is
elevated risk of getting heart disease and of having a heart
attack is dramatically increased.
- Triglycerides
another risk factor for heart disease High triglyceride
levels are another major risk factor for heart disease.
- Total
cholesterol is figured as the total cholesterol levels of
HDL + LDL + Triglycerides. When the total cholesterol figure
is high, your risk of developing heart disease and getting a
heart attack is much greater
Proteins
- C-reactive
protein - elevated levels of c reactive protein is a major
risk factor for heart disease.
- Apoliprotein
(a)- elevated levels of Apoliprotein (a) is considered a
major risk factor of heart disease.
Blood clotting levels
- Homocysteine
elevated levels of homocysteine's are also a risk factor for heart
disease
- Fibrinogen
- Other blood clotting indicators
All of these are considered to be major risk factors for heart
disease, and increase the odds significantly of getting a heart
attack.
Cardiac Enzymes indicate if there is actual damage being
done to the heart muscle.
- Myoglobin
- Lactate Dehydrogenase
- Troponin I
- Troponin T
- Creatine Kinase
These enzymes are usually found in the heart. If they are found
in the blood, it means that they leaked out of the heart, into
the blood stream.
This indicates heart damage. Elevated cardiac enzymes are a very
accurate measure of heart damage and heart attacks.
When someone enters the emergency room with angina pains, his
cardiac enzymes are immediately taken. They are then measured
every four hours to see if enzyme levels are elevating or decreasing.
This indicates if heart damage from a heart attack is still occurring.
If you are feeling angina pains do not hesitate go immediately
to the nearest hospital and get tested.
This test and an EKG
or an angiogram
may determine if you are having an acute heart
attack. Don't delay you can be saving your life.
How can we avoid ever having to be tested?
We can avoid the need to be tested, by taking the necessary precautions
to avoid heart disease in the first place.
This can be done through:
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