What is the High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol Blood Test?
The HDL cholesterol blood test measures “good” cholesterol levels, helping assess heart disease risk. Learn what your results mean and how to improve your heart health.
How Long to Fast Before Cholesterol Blood Test: Everything You Need to Know
When it comes to getting your cholesterol checked, there’s a bit of prep involved—mainly, making sure you’re on an empty stomach. Docs say fasting for 8 to 12 hours before they take your blood sample gives them the clearest picture of what’s going on with your cholesterol levels, without any snacks or drinks muddying the […]
Fasting Before Blood Tests: Importance, Necessity, and Consequences
Fasting before certain blood tests is crucial for accurate results and proper diagnosis. Adhering to fasting guidelines and healthcare provider recommendations ensures optimal health outcomes for patients.
Your Heart’s Vital Signs: What the LIPID BLOOD TEST PANEL PLUS HEMOGLOBIN (HB) A1C Can Tell You
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death globally, making it crucial to assess and prevent it. Blood tests play a significant role in determining the risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as providing valuable information about the general health of the heart. A blood test, such as the LIPID BLOOD TEST PANEL PLUS HEMOGLOBIN (HB) A1C, can evaluate various indicators of cardiovascular health, including cholesterol, glucose, and hemoglobin levels. A blood sample is taken for laboratory analysis, and the results can be used by a doctor to determine the likelihood of developing heart disease and provide advice on lifestyle changes or medication.
It’s essential to prepare properly for a LIPID BLOOD TEST PANEL PLUS HEMOGLOBIN (HB) A1C blood test to obtain reliable results. It’s important to inform your doctor of any vitamins or medicines you’re taking, as some drugs can negatively affect the lipid profile. Fasting for 8-12 hours before the test is also recommended, as recent meals can impact the levels of glucose and cholesterol being examined. Staying hydrated and following your doctor’s instructions are also crucial for accurate results.
The LIPID BLOOD TEST PANEL PLUS HEMOGLOBIN (HB) A1C blood test measures various indicators of cardiovascular health, including high LDL cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, blood sugar levels, and levels of hemoglobin A1C. The results of this blood test can help a doctor assess your risk of heart disease and establish a plan for reducing it, such as dietary modifications, exercise, or medication. It’s important to work closely with your doctor and follow their preparation instructions to ensure the accuracy of the test results.
What’s the Deal with CMP Tests? The Lowdown on testing for Liver, Kidney & Body Health
The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) is a blood test that provides a snapshot of the chemical composition of a person’s body. The test checks the levels of glucose, electrolytes, proteins, and the function of the liver and kidneys. It is often ordered by a doctor to diagnose illness, monitor health over time, or prior to taking new medications. The CMP requires a fast of eight to twelve hours before the test, and a sample of the patient’s blood is collected by a healthcare professional and sent to a laboratory for analysis. The procedure of collecting the blood sample is quick and simple, with a needle inserted into the patient’s arm to collect a small blood sample in a test tube. The process usually takes less than five minutes and is not painful.
10 Foods That Raise Your Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a vital steroid lipid circulating in the blood. It keeps the cell membranes functional and acts as a source of vitamin D. High-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein are the primary forms of cholesterol. HDL cholesterol is thought to be “good” because it moves cholesterol from your blood to your liver, where it can […]
How To Read Your Lipid Panel Results
Most people don’t think about their cholesterol levels until a doctor orders a lipid panel for them. There are no symptoms of having high cholesterol. That’s how you can go from living your life normally one day and having your whole world turned upside down the next. If your lipid panel results come back high, what […]
Cholesterol Quiz
Unlike our other quizzes, there’s so much information out there about cholesterol. This quiz should probably be easy-peasy. We expect to hear about a lot of perfect scores out there. Let’s jump right in! Cholesterol Quiz 1. In 2014, 73.5 million people have high cholesterol. What percentage of those people are getting treatment to lower […]
How To Read Your Wellness Blood Test Results
A wellness panel takes a look at your overall health and helps you evaluate your organs and systems like the thyroid, liver, kidneys and immunity. And because there is so much valuable information, it’s obviously important for you to understand how to read your blood test results. But you are probably asking yourself, what do […]
The Most Common Medical Tests for Heart Disease
The tests you’ll need to diagnose your heart disease depend on what condition your doctor thinks you might have. No matter what type of heart disease you have, your doctor will likely perform a physical exam and ask about your personal and family medical history before doing any other tests. Tests to diagnose heart disease […]
The Silent Killer of Women: Heart Disease
Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for Americans. It kills more women and men each year than all types of cancer combined. While men and women share many factors and symptoms, there are differences between the sexes in regards to heart health that are easily and often overlooked, resulting in […]
Milestone Medical Tests in Your 50s
When you go for your annual physical, make sure your doctor performs or recommends these simple tests that may save your health — and your life — later. (Note that your doctor may recommend additional tests based on your personal health profile.) Thyroid hormone test Your thyroid, that innocuous looking gland in your neck, is […]
10 Surprising Celebrity Heart Attacks
It’s always sad when a favorite celebrity dies. It’s especially sad when that death could have been prevented. At least 200,000 heart attacks are preventable each year! In honor of Heart Health Awareness month, we wanted to show you 10 surprising celebrity heart attacks. Most of these people did not see that final moment coming. […]
6 Ways Inflammation is Prematurely Aging You
What is Inflammation? Inflammation is the body’s response to toxins, injury, infection, illness, and stress. When the body senses trouble, it activates process that are meant to protect cells that are in danger. “In a healthy situation, inflammation serves as a good friend to our body,” says Mansour Mohamadzadeh, PhD, director of the Center for Inflammation […]
Cholesterol Myths Busted!
Cholesterol is widely misunderstood. For instance, did you know that your body not only needs cholesterol, but it also makes it? Cholesterol is a fatlike substance contained in all cells within the body. The body needs and uses cholesterol in the production of things such as hormones and vitamin D. So if our body needs cholesterol, why does it […]
How Healthy Is Your Heart This Valentines Day?
Calculating Cardiovascular Risk Have a Heart Your heart is beating as many as 100,000 times a day, every day. That’s 365 million beats a year. Your heart doesn’t take a vacation or a coffee break, or sleep in late. It hits those numbers consistently, in order to pump blood throughout your body. That‘s only the […]
Lowering Cholesterol, Blood Pressure May Reduce Alzheimer’s Risk
WEDNESDAY, April 13, 2011 (Health.com) – Treating traditional risk factors for heart disease such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes may also prevent the progression of mild memory and cognitive problems into full-blown Alzheimer’s disease, a new study suggests. Although dietary changes, cholesterol-lowering statins, and hypertension drugs such as beta-blockers are far from a surefire way […]
The Truth Behind More Holiday Heart Attacks
Your heart may leap with delight at the electronic gizmo or emerald bracelet that you’ve just unwrapped from under the Christmas tree. But you can’t say the same for that nasty holiday surprise known as the “Merry Christmas coronary” or “Happy Hanukkah heart attack.” For many years, researchers have been intrigued by a disturbing pattern: […]