Maintain a healthy heart by checking your cholesterol levels and risk of diabetes using a simple at-home finger-prick test.

What is the Heart Health test? 

The HbA1c test measures average blood sugar levels over the past 2 to 3 months, while the triglycerides and cholesterol levels reflect the amount of fat in the blood at the time of the test. Monitoring these biomarkers (below) helps to identify potential risk factors for cardiovascular disease and take preventative measures. Maintaining healthy levels of these markers can help reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other heart-related issues.

What biomarkers are measured in this test?

• Triglycerides
• Cholesterol
• Non-HDL
• Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
• Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
• High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
• Cholesterol:HDL Ratio 

Who should take this test?

This test can be informative for anyone interested in their health. In particular, patients with a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or other cardiovascular risk factors would find this test useful. Additionally patients who are overweight, have a sedentary lifestyle, or have a history of smoking may benefit from this test to monitor their heart health.

Is there anything I need to know before taking this test?

This test should be taken after fasting for at least 8 hours because the cholesterol test requires an accurate measurement of the fat levels in the blood.

You must be at least 18 years old to use our testing services.

How often should I take this test?

It is recommended to repeat this test once or twice per year to monitor changes in heart health over time and take proactive steps to maintain good health. Having knowledge of your heart health can also help identify potential risk factors and make lifestyle changes to prevent heart-related issues.

What could results out of range (abnormal) mean? 

Abnormal results for tests such as HbA1c, triglycerides, or cholesterol may indicate an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This can be a motivator to make lifestyle changes such as improving diet, increasing physical activity, and quitting smoking. It is important to discuss these results with a doctor, particularly if you have any symptoms or signs of heart problems, as these may require emergency treatment.

What could results in range (normal) mean?

Normal results for tests such as HbA1c, triglycerides, or cholesterol are a motivator to further improve your lifestyle with changes such as increasing physical activity, eating healthily and stopping smoking. It is important to discuss these results with a doctor to make a full assessment of your risk factors for cardiovascular disease. If you have any symptoms or signs of heart problems, contact your doctor immediately as these need an emergency assessment.

How can I improve my results?

A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help lower total cholesterol and triglycerides. Foods high in fibre, such as oats, barley, and legumes can also remove excess cholesterol from the body. It is important to limit the intake of saturated and trans fats, which are found in fatty meats, full-fat dairy products, and processed foods. Regular physical activity can lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and increase HDL (good) cholesterol. Aiming for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week can maintain healthy cholesterol levels. To increase HDL cholesterol, adding foods high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, such as nuts, seeds, and fatty fish to the diet can help. 

To maintain a healthy HbA1c, and reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, through healthy eating and physical activity. A diet low in sugars and carbohydrates, that emphasises vegetables, and lean proteins can help keep blood sugar levels in check.

Regular monitoring of blood tests can provide important information about heart health. A doctor can make recommendations for lifestyle changes based on the test results and provide guidance on diet and physical activity.

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