Since your heart health is so important to your overall health, many start with monitoring the heart and vessel systems.

Patients often depended on their physicians, in the past, to manage their health for them without any input.Consumers are taking a greater role in their own health, especially in the last ten years.

Your overall health is important and one vital component to that is your heart health. However, with the use of some simple blood tests, you can monitor and hopefully decrease your cardiac risks.

Cholesterol Test – This test, often called a lipid panel, is a group of tests to measure the amount of various blood fats that you have.  Included in this test are measurements of your total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL (good cholesterol) and LDL (bad cholesterol).As one of the most commonly performed tests, cholesterol levels can be monitored and managed with it.

VAP Test – A more specific test is called the VAP test.It provides a much more detailed analysis of your cholesterol.  New research has shown that the smaller particles of cholesterol determine your risk level to a much greater degree.Heart risk can be assessed by the VAP test since it evaluates smaller particles of cholesterol.

C Reactive Protein – Also called the CRP test, this blood test evaluates the amount of inflammation within your body.  Those with high levels of vascular inflammation are at higher risk of developing heart and vascular disease.

Hemoglobin a1c – The a1c test is a simple blood test that measures your blood glucose over a 2-3 month time frame.In comparison with a blood glucose test, the a1c test demonstrates the average of your blood sugar levels over time.Those with higher blood glucose (sugar) levels are more at risk for pre diabetes and diabetes.

This is some simple blood work that can be used by you to monitor your heart health.  As always, it is important to work with your physician if these levels are abnormal.You can manage your heart health with knowledge and follow up.