Heart ailments continue to be one of the primary causes for death in developed and developing countries alike. According to the Million Death Study project, around 2.1 million deaths occurred in India, in 2015 due to Heart diseases. According to the study, ‘The Changing Patterns of Cardiovascular Diseases and Their Risk Factors in the States of India’, the number of deaths due to cardiovascular diseases in India increased from 1.3 million in 1990 to 2.8 million in 2016.
In recent years, advances made in the field of pathology have made it easier for heart specialists to detect cardiovascular diseases through various blood tests conducted on the patient. These tests detect bio-chemical compounds that are not present normally, or they measure such compounds when present above particular levels are indicators of a disease.
These tests can be divided into
- Tests to detect/rule out Heart attacks
- Tests to detect/rule out Heart failure
- Tests to detect/rule out Future cardiac risk
Tests to detect/rule out Heart attacks
- Creatine Kinase (CK), Creatine Kinase-MB (CKMB) and Myoglobin: CK, CKMB and Myoglobin are proteins that are present or released into the blood after a heart attack. However, some muscles of the body also contain these proteins, so their presence in blood can be indicative of a problem in these muscles. Hence this test is conducted along with other tests.
- Cardiac Troponin I or T: Cardiac Troponin (CT) is a substance that is found only in the blood. High levels of CT in the blood are symbolic of recent heart damage or the risk of heart attacks.
- Ischemia Modified Albumin (IMA): Patients who display warning signs or symptoms of heart attack (ischemia) are also tested for IMA. The modifications happening in the albumin can indicate when the ischemia has occurred.
Tests to detect/rule out Heart Failure
- Natriuretic Peptides: An intense shortness of breath is generally seen as a sign of heart failure. However, it can also be indicative of pulmonary or lung ailments. To differentiate between the 2, this test is conducted. There are 2 types of this substance- Brain-type Natriuretic peptide or BNP and N-terminal pro-Brain Natriuretic peptide or NT-pro BNP. Both these substances tend to be high in the blood of people with heart damage, congestive heart failure, or a recent development of angina or a recent heart-attack.
Tests to detect/rule out Future cardiac risk
- Cholesterol: Cholesterol in the human blood is made of various components such as Low density Lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol, high density Lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol, Trigylcerides and non-HDL Cholesterol. The quantities of these substances can indicate the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries) or other heart complaints.
- C-reactive protein (CRP): CRP is produced by the liver in response to injury or infection that causes inflammation. Since atherosclerosis also causes inflammation, CRP can be used to assess the risk of heart disease when used in conjunction with other tests.
- Lipoprotein A (LpA): LpA is one of the types of LDL cholesterol whose quantity in your blood is determined by genetic factors more than lifestyle. So if your family has a history of sudden death or heart disease at a young age, a heart doctor may recommend this test for you even if your cholesterol levels appear normal otherwise.
- Lipoprotein Associated Phospholipase A2: Lp-PLA2, as this substance is called for short, creates oxidized molecules in the walls of arteries. This in turn can lead to atherosclerosis or deposition of plaque in the arteries as well as irritability of the plaque. The test, called as PLAQ test is used to assess the risk of plaque formation.
- Plasma Ceramides: Normally, plasma ceramides are associated with the growth, function and natural death of various tissues in the body. However, when there is metabolic dysfunction in the body or conditions such as dyslipidemia or inflammation, there is an abnormal build-up of plasma ceramides within tissues and blood plasma. This is used to assess the risk of atherosclerosis or any major cardiovascular event in the coming years.
- Insulin: Insulin is produced by the pancreas in order to regulate blood sugar levels. However, when insulin levels in the blood go up, it’s indicative of the risk of various ailments including heart and blood vessel disease.
- Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO): TMAO is created by bacteria found in the human intestine and is found in anybody who consumes animal protein such as meat, eggs and dairy, regularly. However, an elevated level of TMAO in the blood is indicative of the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack and heart disease.
- MyeloPerOxidase (MPO): MPO is indicative of inflammation, in general. However, an elevated level of MPO in the blood is indicative of the risk of heart attack and heart disease.
Heart ailments are a leading cause of death worldwide, including in India where cardiovascular disease-related deaths are on an upward trend. Thankfully, advancements in pathology have aided heart specialists in detecting these diseases earlier than before. A range of comprehensive blood tests now exist to detect or rule out heart attacks, heart failure, and future cardiac risk. Kauvery Hospital and its branches in Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Trichy offer these vital diagnostic tests for heart problems, ensuring that patients have access to prompt diagnosis and treatment. Timely intervention can save lives and significantly improve patient outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What blood tests can detect a heart attack?
Cardiac Troponin I or T: High levels indicate recent heart damage or risk of heart attacks.
Creatine Kinase (CK), CK-MB, and Myoglobin: Presence indicates muscle damage, including the heart.
2.How can blood tests diagnose heart failure?
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP and NT-pro BNP): High levels suggest heart damage or congestive heart failure.
3.Which blood tests assess future cardiac risk?
Cholesterol Levels: Includes LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and non-HDL cholesterol.
C-reactive Protein (CRP): High levels indicate inflammation related to heart disease.
4.What is Ischemia Modified Albumin (IMA) test?
IMA Test: Detects changes in albumin indicating ischemia or potential heart attack.
5.Why are plasma ceramides important in cardiac tests?
Plasma Ceramides: High levels indicate metabolic dysfunction and risk of major cardiovascular events.
6.How does the Lipoprotein A (LpA) test help?
LpA Test: Identifies genetic risk of heart disease, especially if there’s a family history of early heart issues.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.
Chennai – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4003500 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 6801