Blood Tests for Heart Disease - II

 Lipoprotein (a)

Lipoprotein (a), or Lp(a), is a type of LDL cholesterol. Your Lp(a) level is determined by your genes and isn't generally affected by lifestyle.
High levels of Lp(a) may be a sign of increased risk of heart disease, though it's not clear how much risk. Your doctor might order an Lp(a) test if you already have atherosclerosis or heart disease but appear to have otherwise normal cholesterol levels.
Lp(a) is often tested if you have a family history of early-onset heart disease or sudden death. It should also be tested if your LDL cholesterol doesn't respond well to drug treatment.

Natriuretic peptides
Brain natriuretic peptide, also called B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), is a protein that your heart and blood vessels produce. BNP helps your body eliminate fluids, relaxes blood vessels and funnels sodium into your urine.
When your heart is damaged, your body secretes high levels of BNP into your bloodstream to try to ease the strain on your heart. BNP levels may also rise if you have new or increasing chest pain (unstable angina) or after a heart attack.
A high level of BNP alone isn't enough to diagnose a heart problem. Your doctor will also consider your risk factors and other blood test results.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-disease/HB00016

Blood Tests

BLOOD TESTS FOR HEART DISEASE - I

C-reactive protein C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein your liver produces as part of your body's response to injury or infection (inflammatory response).

Fibrinogen is a protein that helps your blood to clot. But too much Fibrinogen can cause a clot in an artery. A normal fibrinogen level is considered to be between 200 and 400 milligrams per liter (mg/L).

Homocysteine is a substance your body uses to make protein and to build and maintain tissue. But too much homocysteine may increase your risk of stroke, certain types of heart disease, and disease of the blood vessels of the arms, legs and feet (peripheral artery disease). Your doctor may check your homocysteine level if you've had cardiovascular problems but don't have any of the traditional risk factors, such as smoking.

A cholesterol test , also called a lipid panel. The test usually includes:

Total cholesterol: the sum of your blood’s cholesterol.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: also called “bad” cholesterol. Too much of this type of cholesterol can can allow fatty deposits (plaques) to accumulate in your arteries.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol: often called “good” cholesterol, because this cholesterol helps to carry away LDL cholesterol and increase blood flow.

Triglycerides:  are a type of fat in the blood. A high amount of triglycerides indicates that you routinesly eat more calories than you burn off, and are at risk for heart disease.

SPECT test

A single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT)

A SPECT test is another type of radioactive imaging technology. A SPECT scan produces 3-D images that show how your organs work.

A SPECT scan is helpful in diagonosing heart problems such as blockages in the arteries of the heart, chest pain and heart attack.

After the PET scan and the SPECT scan most of the radioactive material that is injected into your body leaves your body in your urine. It is advisable that you drink additional fluids to aid in the tracer leaving your body. Any left-over radioactive material is broken down by your body over the next couple of days.

·         Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) a

·         Heart scan (coronary calcium scan) a

·         C-reactive protein test a

·         Stress test  a

·         Nuclear stress test a

·         Positron emission tomography (PET) scana

·         SPECT scan

·         Blood tests for heart disease