Heart health profile
Take A Heart Health test for a positive lifestyle
This test is delivered by us at Amiry & Gilbride Pharmacy, working together with London Medical Laboratory.
The price for each in-pharmacy test is available during the booking process, before confirmation of the appointment.
Introduction
The heart health profile test is a combination of important tests for diabetes, cholesterol and inflammation, which allow you to monitor heart health.
Regular monitoring and early diagnosis of heart problems can help you to adopt healthy dietary and lifestyle changes, in order to help boost your chances of a long, active life.
How does this test work?
This is a blood test, which is the best way of monitoring existing health conditions or checking for any underlying issues which you are not aware of.
Whether you just want peace of mind, to manage an existing condition or you have concerns about your health, this in-store blood test offers an easy, fast and affordable way of taking active control of your health.
The process, which is carried out by our pharmacists, is convenient, simple and stress-free, and you only have to wait between 5 and 7 days for your results.
* It’s important to remember that blood tests like this should not be seen as a replacement for visiting a doctor, particularly if you are experiencing any symptoms. You should not begin any treatment or form a diagnosis without first consulting your doctor or other trained healthcare professional.
What do you test?
Cholesterol (6 biomarkers)
Arteries can become blocked if you have high levels of cholesterol, which leads to coronary heart disease, stroke or heart attack. Finding out your cholesterol level and if it is high allows you to make positive dietary and lifestyle changes to improve your health and increase the chances of a long life.
Total cholesterol
This measures the complete amount of cholesterol in your blood, including high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterols. Cholesterol exists to produce essential hormones for growth, development and reproduction. A total cholesterol test can be used to evaluate your risk of heart disease in future.
High density lipoprotein
Known as HDL, this is a type of cholesterol which is seen as ‘good’ in terms of health, as its primary function is to remove the other type of cholesterol from the arteries of the heart. A test for HDL is used to evaluate your risk of heart disease.
Low density lipoprotein
LDL is classified as ‘bad’ cholesterol, because it is responsible for causing a build-up of cholesterol and blockage of the arteries. Similar to the HDL test, this test estimates the likelihood of heart disease.
Total cholesterol: HDL Ratio
This calculates how much ‘good’ cholesterol there is in the total amount of cholesterol in your body, as it is vital for removing cholesterol from the arteries. The Total cholesterol: HDL ratio test is used to rate the risk of heart disease.
Non-HDL cholesterol
This looks at the total number of cholesterols minus the HDL, or ‘good’ cholesterol. A test for Non-HDL cholesterol helps estimate the risk of heart disease by looking at your lipid profile.
Triglyceride
This is a type of fat, derived from foods like oil and butter, which is stored in your body’s tissues. A test for triglyceride looks at the total lipid profile as further evidence in the estimation of someone developing heart disease.
Diabetes (1 Biomarkers)
Biomarkers for diabetes check your HbA1c levels, which show whether you have diabetes or are at risk of developing it. It is important because undiagnosed or unmanaged diabetes is a leading cause of mortality. If you have already been diagnosed with diabetes, it is vital to monitor your progress with regular HbA1c tests.
Haemoglobin A1C
The Haemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) test measures your average blood sugar level from the last two to three months and is routinely used for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes. Glucose is the sugar which can build up in the blood before binding itself to haemoglobins which are found in red blood cells. The HbA1c measures the amount of glucose which is bound, in order to diagnose diabetes.
Inflammation (1 Biomarkers)
Inflammation happens when white blood cells in the body protect a person from external viruses and bacteria. Checking to see whether you have inflammation is a good marker for a number of conditions.
High sensitivity C-Reactive Protein
The protein known as CRP is elevated in the blood when someone has inflammation and the High sensitivity C-Reactive Protein test (hs-CRP) is used to measure lower levels of it. This helps to predict heart conditions such as stroke or heart attack.
FAQs
What are the different types of cholesterol?
Cholesterol comes in 2 forms – Good and bad. HDL is the good cholesterol, while bad cholesterol is LDL. The two combined make up your body’s total cholesterol level.
What should my levels be?
The total cholesterol level should be 5 or less, with ideally an HDL of 1 or more and LDL of 3 or less and non HDL 4 or less.
What can I do to make sure these levels are in check?
To maintain healthy cholesterol levels, you can cut down on fatty foods, especially those containing saturated fat. Regular exercise and stopping smoking, as well as reducing alcohol intake, can also help bring cholesterol levels down.
