Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood draw (venipuncture)
- Fasting: 9–12 hours required for accurate lipid results
- Turn-around: 2–3 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Comprehensive heart risk assessment - Measures cholesterol, inflammation, and homocysteine in one panel
- Early detection of cardiovascular risks - Identifies potential issues before symptoms appear
- Complete wellness overview - Includes organ function, blood health, and thyroid assessment
- Convenient direct-access testing - No doctor visit required for ordering
- Cost-effective prevention - More affordable than traditional healthcare settings
- Actionable health insights - Results guide lifestyle changes and treatment decisions
Who Is This Test For?
- Adults with family history of heart disease or stroke
- Individuals with risk factors like hypertension or diabetes
- People experiencing fatigue, chest discomfort, or shortness of breath
- Anyone wanting proactive cardiovascular health monitoring
- Those tracking effectiveness of heart-healthy lifestyle changes
- Health-conscious individuals seeking comprehensive wellness assessment
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online - Select your test and schedule at a convenient lab location
- Visit lab - Fast 9-12 hours, then get your blood drawn at any participating lab location
- Get results - Receive secure, confidential results within 2-3 days
FAQ
What biomarkers does this panel measure? Cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL, triglycerides), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, homocysteine, plus comprehensive metabolic panel, complete blood count, and thyroid function tests.
Do I need to fast before the test? Yes, fasting for 9-12 hours is required for accurate cholesterol and glucose measurements. Water is allowed during the fasting period.
How often should I get this test? Annually for baseline monitoring, or more frequently if you have risk factors or are managing existing cardiovascular conditions.
Can this test replace my doctor's visit? No, this test provides valuable health information but should complement, not replace, regular medical care and professional interpretation of results.
What if my results are abnormal? Follow up with a healthcare provider for proper interpretation, risk stratification, and development of an appropriate treatment or prevention plan.
How accurate are the results? The test uses clinically validated biomarkers processed in CLIA-certified laboratories, ensuring high accuracy and reliability comparable to hospital labs.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Heart Health Awareness and Wellness Blood Test Panel evaluates critical biomarkers affecting cardiovascular health and overall wellness. This comprehensive panel measures cholesterol fractions, inflammatory markers like high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and homocysteine levels—key indicators of heart disease risk (American Heart Association, 2024).
By combining heart-specific markers with general wellness tests including metabolic function, blood health, and thyroid assessment, this panel provides a thorough evaluation of your health status. The test helps identify potential cardiovascular risks early and supports monitoring of preventive and therapeutic interventions.
Who would benefit from this test?
This panel is particularly valuable for adults with family history of heart disease, those with cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension or diabetes, and anyone experiencing symptoms such as fatigue or chest discomfort (CDC, 2023). Health-conscious individuals seeking proactive monitoring and those managing existing cardiovascular conditions will find comprehensive insights for informed health decisions.
Athletes and active individuals can use results to optimize performance and recovery, while anyone interested in preventive healthcare can establish baseline measurements for long-term health tracking.
When should I order a Heart Health Awareness and Wellness Blood Test Panel?
Order this panel annually for baseline cardiovascular and wellness monitoring, or more frequently when cardiovascular risk factors or symptoms arise (Mayo Clinic, 2024). It's particularly recommended before starting new exercise programs, when making significant dietary changes, or when monitoring the effectiveness of heart-healthy interventions.
Consider testing if you're experiencing unexplained fatigue, have new cardiovascular symptoms, or want to establish health baselines during routine preventive care.
How do I interpret the results?
Your results will include reference ranges and physician interpretation to help understand your cardiovascular risk profile. Key markers and their significance:
LDL Cholesterol
- < 100 mg/dL
- Low cardiovascular risk
HDL Cholesterol
- > 60 mg/dL
- Protective against heart disease
hs-CRP
- < 1 mg/L
- Low inflammation risk
Homocysteine
- < 15 μmol/L
- Normal cardiovascular risk
High hs-CRP levels correlate with 1.5-2 fold increased risk of heart attacks and strokes (Journal of American College of Cardiology, 2023).
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
Fast for 9-12 hours before your blood draw to ensure accurate lipid panel and glucose results. Water is allowed and encouraged during the fasting period. Inform the lab about any medications or supplements you're taking, as some may need temporary adjustment before testing.
Avoid strenuous exercise 24 hours before testing, as it can temporarily affect some biomarker levels. Schedule your test for morning hours when possible to minimize fasting duration.
How often should I get tested?
- Healthy adults (baseline monitoring) → Annually
- Family history of heart disease → Every 6–12 months
- Existing cardiovascular conditions → Every 3–6 months
- Starting new treatments → Follow provider recommendations
Why early detection matters
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., affecting approximately 1 in 3 adults (CDC, 2023). Early detection through blood screening enables preventive interventions that can reduce cardiovascular events by up to 30% when properly managed (American Heart Association, 2024).
Identifying elevated inflammatory markers, cholesterol imbalances, and other risk factors before symptoms appear allows for timely lifestyle modifications and medical interventions. This proactive approach can significantly reduce healthcare costs and improve long-term health outcomes.
Related tests you may consider
Cardio IQ® Advanced Lipid Panel Blood Test - Offers detailed lipoprotein particle size and number analysis for more nuanced cardiovascular risk assessment beyond basic cholesterol measurements.
Cardio IQ® Advanced Lipid Panel with Inflammation Blood Test - Provides expanded inflammation insights including additional markers to detect early vascular inflammation and immune system activity.
Heart Health #3 Extreme Blood Test Panel - Identifies inherited risk factors that influence personalized prevention strategies and treatment responses for optimal heart health management.
