Heart

HEART

The heart is the most important organ of the circulatory system, which helps deliver blood to the body. It works with the lungs to add oxygen to blood and pump this freshly oxygenated blood through the blood vessels and around the body.

The heart also has an electrical system within. Electrical impulses within the heart help ensure that it beats with a consistent rhythm and proper rate.

The heart rate increases when the body needs more blood, such as during intense exercise. It decreases during times of rest.

The heart has four chambers. The two upper chambers are called atria, and the two lower chambers are called ventricles.

Blood flows into the right atrium from the veins of the heart and body (except the lungs), then it flows into the right ventricle. From there, it flows into the pulmonary artery, which has branches that reach the lungs. The lungs then oxygenate the blood.

This oxygenated blood travels from the lungs, through pulmonary veins that lead back and join together, to the left atrium, and then through the left ventricle. From there, the heart pumps the blood through an artery that branches to distribute blood to itself and other body parts (except the lungs).

The heart has four valves that ensure that blood flows in the right direction. The heart valves are:

  • the tricuspid valve
  • the pulmonary valve
  • the mitral valve
  • the aortic valve
heart

Basic Tests

Lipid Panel Blood Test

The Lipid Panel Blood Test evaluates hyperlipidemia as an index to coronary artery disease.

Prothrombin Time (PT) w/INR Blood Test

The PT/INR Blood Test reports both PT and INR values, although the INR value is more applicable for patients on Warfarin; it is used to adjust dosage to get the PT in the appropriate range.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Blood Test, High Sensitivit…

The high-sensitivity CRP test measures low levels of CRP in the blood.  The measurement is used to identify low levels of inflammation associated with the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Sedimentation Rate Blood Test, Westergren

A Sedimentation Rate Blood Test, Westergren evaluates the nonspecific activity of infections, inflammatory states, autoimmune disorders, and plasma cell dyscrasias.

Homocysteine Blood Test

The Homocysteine Blood Test measures the level of homocysteine, an amino acid, in your blood.

Creatine Kinase (CK) Blood Tst, Total

A CPK test is a blood test used to evaluate levels of creatine kinase (CK), an enzyme released when muscle damage occurs.

D-Dimer Blood Test

A D-Dimer Blood Test rules out deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism; evaluate disseminated intravascular coagulation; can be used to monitor the extent of clot lysis during thrombolytic therapy.

LUPUS Auto-Immune Blood Test Panel

A LUPUS blood test includes: Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Direct, Complete Blood Count with Differential and Platelets (CBC), Urinalysis Complete, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Factor, Sedimentation Rate (ESR), C-Reactive Protein (CRP) High Sensitivity Cardiac Risk, Comprehensive Metabolic Panel – 14 tests, Prothrombin Time (PT) and Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT).

Electrolyte Blood Test Panel

The Electrolyte Panel is performed to check for kidney problems, acids in your blood, a sodium or potassium problem and diabetes.

Lipoprotein (a) Blood Test

A Lipoprotein (a) Blood Test measures the level of a particular type of lipoprotein which can increase a person’s risk for cardiovascular disease.

Fibrinogen Activity Blood Test

The Fibrinogen Activity Test is used to check for fibrinogen, coagulation factor, a protein that is essential for blood clot formation.

B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Blood Test

The BNP Blood Test is used to support a diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF).

Lactate Dehydrogenase (LD) Isoenzymes Blood Test

A Lactate Dehydrogenase (LD) Isoenzymes Blood Test helps identify the cause and location of tissue damage in the body and to monitor its progress.

Lactic Acid Dehydrogenase (LD) Blood Test

A LD or LDH Blood Test measures lactic acid dehydrogenase an enzyme that is elevated in case of any tissue damage or injury.

Aldosterone Blood Test, LC-MS

The aldosterone blood test is used to evaluate patients with hypertension and for the possibility of hyperaldosteronism.

Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (Direct) Blood T…

A Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (Direct) Blood Test is used for the direct determination of LDL cholesterol.

Apolipoprotein Assessment Blood Test

Apolipoprotein Assessment Blood Test evaluates risk of cardiovascular disease and includes apolipoprotein A-1, apolipoprotein B, and apolipoprotein B/A1 ratio.

Aldolase Blood Test

An aldolase blood test looks for damage to muscles, liver or the heart.

Coenzyme Q10 Blood Test

A Coenzyme Q10 Blood Test measures blood levels of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).

Tacrolimus Blood Test

The Tacrolimus Blood Test is ordered to measure tacrolimus blood levels for use in patients receiving this drug.

Omega-3 and -6 Fatty Acids Blood Test

An Omega-3 and -6 Fatty Acids Blood Test is useful in measuring the essential fatty acids.

NT-pro BNP Blood Test

NT-pro BNP Blood Test is used to support a diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF).

Apolipoprotein B Blood Test

An apolipoprotein B blood test is useful in evaluating the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and monitoring treatment for high cholesterol.

Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 (PLAC) Blood…

The PLAC Test is a blood test that measures an enzyme associated with the inflammation of your arteries.

High-density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol Blood Tes…

The High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Blood Test is used along with other lipid tests to screen for unhealthy levels of lipids and to determine the risk of developing heart disease.

VLDL Cholesterol Blood Test

A VLDL Cholesterol Blood Test is useful in measuring the amount of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) in your blood.

Carnitine Total and Free Blood Test

This Carnitine Total and Free Blood Test measures your blood’s amount of a substance called carnitine. It compares the amount of carnitine that is usable or ” free ” to the total amount in your body.

Aldosterone:Renin Ratio Blood Test

Aldosterone-renin activity ratio blood test measures the levels of the hormones aldosterone and renin in your blood.

Myoglobin Serum Test

A myoglobin serum test is ordered to diagnose skeletal or myocardial muscle injury.

Lp-PLA2 Activity Blood Test

A Lp-PLA2 Activity Blood Test is useful in measuring the amount of Lp-PLA2 in the blood.

Catecholamines without Creatinine Urine Test, Fracti…

Fractionated catecholamine measurement is useful in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma and its differentiation from essential hypertension.

Myeloperoxidase Antibody (MPO) Blood Test

The MPO Blood Test measures the antibody levels of Myeloperoxidase. Elevated Myeloperoxidase antibodies are associated with vascular diseases, lupus, and other inflammatory conditions.

Galectin-3 Blood Test

A Galectin-3 Test may be ordered for the identification of individuals with chronic heart failure at elevated risk of disease progression.

Lipoprotein Phenotyping Profile Blood Test

A Lipoprotein Phenotyping Profile Blood Test is used to evaluate hyperlipidemia (high Cholesterol) to determine abnormal lipoprotein distribution and concentration in the serum.

Pyruvic Acid Blood Test

A Pyruvic Acid Blood Test is used to measure the amount of pyruvate in the blood.

Fibrinogen Antigen Blood Test

The fibrinogen antigen blood test is used in the diagnosis of homozygous and heterozygous fibrinogen deficiency as well as dysfibrinogenemia; diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation; fibrinogen levels can be used to assess the effectiveness of thrombolytic therapy.

AspirinWorks; (11-Dehydro Thromboxane B2) Urine Test…

The AspirinWorks Test Kit is an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) to determine levels of 11-dehydrothromboxane B2 (11dhTxB2) in human urine, which aids in the qualitative detection of aspirin effect in apparently healthy individuals post ingestion.

Digoxin Blood Test

The Digoxin Blood Test is useful in determining the level of the medication digoxin in the blood.

Protein C Functional Blood Test

The Protein C Functional Blood Test is used to help investigate a possible clotting disorder.

Protein C Antigen Blood Test

A Protein C Antigen Blood Test is used the confirmation and characterization of protein C deficiency.

Apolipoprotein A1 Blood Test

An Apo A1 blood test measures the A1 protein that has a specific role in the metabolism of lipids and is the main protein component in HDL, the “good cholesterol”.

High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Blood Spot – ZRT…

C-Reactive Protein is a proven marker of inflammation and may contribute significantly to cardiovascular disease’s pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic components.