Coronary Heart Disease Blood Test

What is Coronary Heart Disease?

Coronary heart disease is a condition where plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, restricting blood flow to the heart muscle. It is caused by atherosclerosis, where cholesterol deposits, inflammatory cells, and calcium accumulate in arterial walls. The Cardio IQ Advanced Lipid Panel is the most important test for assessing coronary heart disease risk because it identifies dangerous small, dense LDL particles that promote plaque formation.

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What causes coronary heart disease?

Coronary heart disease is caused by atherosclerosis, a process where cholesterol, inflammatory cells, calcium, and other substances build up in the walls of the coronary arteries. This buildup forms plaques that narrow and harden the arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle. Key contributors include high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, especially small dense LDL particles, oxidized LDL cholesterol, chronic inflammation marked by elevated C-reactive protein and Lp-PLA2 enzymes, and increased clotting factors like fibrinogen. Over time, these plaques can rupture, triggering blood clots that completely block arteries and cause heart attacks.

What is the best test for coronary heart disease?

The Cardio IQ Advanced Lipid Panel is the most important test for assessing coronary heart disease risk because it goes beyond basic cholesterol numbers to analyze LDL particle size and density. This test identifies LDL pattern B, which consists of small, dense LDL particles that are significantly more dangerous than larger particles because they easily penetrate arterial walls and promote plaque formation. Additional essential tests include the Heart Attack Risk Assessment measuring apolipoprotein A1 and B levels, the OxLDL test detecting oxidized cholesterol that directly damages arteries, and the Lp-PLA2 Activity test measuring inflammatory enzyme activity within existing plaques. Together, these tests provide a comprehensive cardiovascular risk profile that standard cholesterol panels miss.

When should I get tested for coronary heart disease?

You should get tested if you have a family history of heart disease or heart attacks before age 55 in men or 65 in women, have high blood pressure or diabetes, are a smoker or former smoker, are overweight or physically inactive, or experience symptoms like chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue. Even if you feel healthy, testing is recommended for men over 35 and women over 45 to establish a baseline risk profile. Early detection of risk factors allows you to make lifestyle changes and start preventive treatments before heart damage occurs, significantly reducing your chances of heart attack or stroke.

What are the symptoms of coronary heart disease?
Coronary heart disease often develops silently for years before causing noticeable symptoms. The most common symptom is angina, which feels like chest pressure, tightness, squeezing, or burning that typically occurs during physical activity or emotional stress and improves with rest. You might also experience shortness of breath during everyday activities, unusual fatigue especially after exertion, pain radiating to the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back, heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat, dizziness or lightheadedness, and nausea or indigestion-like discomfort. Some people, particularly women and those with diabetes, experience atypical symptoms like extreme fatigue, sleep disturbances, or anxiety without obvious chest pain.
Who is at risk for coronary heart disease?
Major risk factors for coronary heart disease include advancing age, with men over 45 and women over 55 at increased risk, family history of early heart disease, smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke, high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol, diabetes or prediabetes, obesity especially with abdominal fat accumulation, physical inactivity, chronic stress, and unhealthy diet high in saturated fats and processed foods. Certain ethnic groups including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and South Asians have higher risk. Additional factors include sleep apnea, autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, history of preeclampsia during pregnancy, and excessive alcohol consumption.
What happens if coronary heart disease is left untreated?
Untreated coronary heart disease progressively worsens as plaques continue accumulating in coronary arteries. This leads to increasingly severe angina symptoms that limit daily activities and quality of life. The most serious complication is heart attack, which occurs when a plaque ruptures and a blood clot completely blocks an artery, causing permanent heart muscle damage or death. Chronic reduced blood flow weakens the heart muscle, leading to heart failure where the heart cannot pump blood effectively, causing fluid buildup in lungs and body tissues. Coronary heart disease also increases risk of dangerous heart rhythm abnormalities, stroke from blood clots or pieces of plaque breaking off, and sudden cardiac death. Early detection and treatment dramatically improve outcomes.
Can coronary heart disease be diagnosed with a blood test?
Blood tests cannot directly diagnose coronary heart disease itself, which requires imaging tests like coronary angiography, CT angiography, or stress tests to visualize artery blockages. However, blood tests are essential for assessing your risk of developing coronary heart disease and monitoring disease progression. Advanced lipid panels reveal dangerous cholesterol particle patterns, inflammatory markers like high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and Lp-PLA2 identify active arterial inflammation, oxidized LDL measures cholesterol that directly damages arteries, apolipoprotein tests assess cholesterol transport efficiency, and clotting factors like fibrinogen indicate thrombosis risk. These blood tests guide preventive strategies and treatment decisions, helping you reduce risk before heart damage occurs.
How is coronary heart disease treated?
Treatment for coronary heart disease combines lifestyle modifications with medications and sometimes procedures. Lifestyle changes include adopting a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids, regular exercise for at least 150 minutes weekly, quitting smoking, maintaining healthy weight, managing stress, and limiting alcohol. Medications may include statins to lower LDL cholesterol, antiplatelet drugs like aspirin to prevent clots, beta-blockers to reduce heart workload, ACE inhibitors or ARBs to lower blood pressure and protect the heart, and nitrates to relieve angina. For severe blockages, procedures like angioplasty with stent placement to open narrowed arteries or coronary artery bypass surgery to route blood around blockages may be necessary.
How can I prevent coronary heart disease?
Preventing coronary heart disease focuses on controlling modifiable risk factors through healthy lifestyle choices. Stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke exposure, eat a Mediterranean-style diet emphasizing vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, nuts, and olive oil while limiting red meat, processed foods, and added sugars, exercise regularly with both aerobic activities and strength training, maintain healthy weight with a BMI under 25 and waist circumference under 40 inches for men or 35 inches for women, manage blood pressure keeping it below 120/80 mmHg, control cholesterol through diet and medication if needed, manage diabetes keeping hemoglobin A1c below 7 percent, reduce stress through relaxation techniques, get 7-8 hours of quality sleep nightly, and limit alcohol to one drink daily for women or two for men.
What natural remedies help with coronary heart disease?
Several natural approaches can support heart health alongside medical treatment. Omega-3 fatty acids from fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines or fish oil supplements reduce inflammation and triglycerides. Plant sterols and stanols found in fortified foods, nuts, and seeds help block cholesterol absorption. Soluble fiber from oats, beans, apples, and psyllium lowers LDL cholesterol. Coenzyme Q10 supplements may benefit those taking statins. Garlic has mild cholesterol-lowering and blood pressure-reducing effects. Green tea contains antioxidants that protect blood vessels. Regular consumption of berries, dark chocolate with at least 70 percent cocoa, and extra virgin olive oil provides protective polyphenols. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting supplements, as some can interact with heart medications.
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Long story short:
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  6. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
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  8. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.
How do I know which test to get?
In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option.

Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.
Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?
Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.

Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you.

There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out.

Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.
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Only HSA & FSA is accepted.

Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts.

This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare.

If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.
Can I cancel my order?
Yes.

We get it – sometimes your needs change.

As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order.

If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

You can read more about our cancellation policy here.
How can I find a lab location near me?
During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp).

Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym.

If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.
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Cardio IQ Advanced Lipid Panel
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What's included
Fast & easy, results by email & SMS
No need to visit a doctor
Private & confidential
No insurance needed
Results explained
No extra fees paid at the lab

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