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

PET scan

A PET scan

The PET (positron emission tomography)  scan involves a small amount of radioactive material that must enter your body. This substance will help to reveal what part of your body has an abnormally high or low chemical activity.

When receiving a PET scan to look for indication of heart disease the goal is to see where there might be areas in the heart that have a decreased blood flow. The radioactive material enters your body intravenously. You might feel a cold sensation moving up your arm. This is typical and temporary.

When trying to determine damage to the heart this test is often so indicate if angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery might beneficial.

·         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) scan

·         SPECT scan

·         Blood tests for heart disease

8 common diagnostic tests for the Heart #5: Nuclear stress test

Nuclear stress test   

A Nuclear stress test may be ordered to help your doctor determine treatments for your condition. A nuclear stress test is similar to a regular stress test (discussed earlier) but it also incorporates the use of a radioactive dye that is injected into your blood stream during the highest activity rate of your heart. This dye travels throughout your veins and enables an image (similar to an X-ray) to be taken of your heart muscle. This image will show where the blood flows freely and where it does not. Any damaged heart tissue or damaged or diseased arteries will also show up.

This test will help your physician in treatment and diagnosis of coronary heart disease, enlarged heart, or other heart disorders. This test also measures your hearts pumping function.

A typical nuclear stress test includes images taken of your heart during high activity and at rest. The first images are routinely taken when your heart reaches its active level, and then another set of images are taken about 2 hours later when your heart is at rest.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/HeartDiseaseScreening/story?id=4222350

8 common  diagnostic tests for the Heart

·         Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) a

·         Heart scan (coronary calcium scan) a

·         C-reactive protein test a

·         Stress test  a

·         Nuclear stress test

·         Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

·         SPECT scan

·         Blood tests for heart disease

8 common diagnostic tests for the Heart #4

STRESS TEST

A stress test or an exercise test is used to gather information about how well your heart works when it is exerted.

A stress test may be ordered to aid in diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease (damaged or diseased arteries), or Heart Arrhythmia (irregular electrical impulses of the heart). 

A stress test may also be used to help guide the doctor on the path to treating previously diagnosed heart disorders.

During a stress test you will have electrodes attached to your chest, leg and arm. Tour heart is monitored through an ECG/EKG, and your blood pressure is monitored through a cuff that you wear on your arm.

The test begins by slowly walking on a treadmill or riding a stationery bike. Resistance will increase as the test progresses to raise your heart rate. Tests vary, but ordinarily the desire is to raise your heart rate for approximately 12 minutes in order to thoroughly examine its performance.

8 common  diagnostic tests for the Heart

·         Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) a

·         Heart scan (coronary calcium scan) a

·         C-reactive protein test a

·         Stress test 

·         Nuclear stress test

·         Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

·         SPECT scan

·         Blood tests for heart disease

ECG

An ElectroCardio Gram is a non-invasive, pain free test that monitors the elecrical currents that cause your heart to beat. It can detect irregularities in your heart rythm that will help the doctor to diagnose any problems. An ECG or EKG can detect:

• Irregularities in your heart rhythm
• Heart defects
• Problems with your heart's valves
• Blocked or narrowed arteries in your heart
• A heart attack, in emergency situations
• A previous heart attack

During an ECG/EKG small electrodes are taped to your chest which read the electrical signals of your heart. The signals are shown as waves on an attached computer screen or printer. ECG's can be read immediately or studied (as they are extensive) and referred to throughout your treatment.