There are a number of very important indicators that can help you assess the risk to your heart's health. This test analyses 8 essential biomarkers.

Early diagnosis is vital for giving the best clinical outcomes. Regular monitoring means you can make real decisions to improve your heart's health.

Anyone who wants to find out how healthy their heart is.

Knowing your cholesterol and HbAc levels which are strongly associated with cardiovascular disease, can tell you a lot about your heart health.

Your heart health can be improved through lifestyle changes such as healthy eating, daily exercise, weight loss and stopping smoking.

Regular heart health screenings are also generally recommended if you have high blood pressure.

This test analyses 8 key biomarkers:

Total cholesterol

HDL ('good' high density lipoproteins)

LDL ('bad' low density lipoproteins)

HDL ratio

Non HDL cholesterol

Triglycerides

Inflammation (C-Rreative Protein)

Diabetes (HbA1c)

Yes you should fast at least 8 hours before taking your sample. We would recommend to take your test first thing in the morning before your first meal.

If you do not fast before taking this test, the reference ranges provided may not be accurate and this can mean that you receive the incorrect advice.

Rules for fasting:

• Try to take your sample in the morning
• Stay hydrated by drinking only clear water (no diluted squash drinks)
• Fast for at least 8 hours before taking your sample
• Discuss with your GP if fasting could affect your medication routine
• If you feel unwell due to fasting, eat and try taking the test another day

High levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease because it can lead to fatty deposits which build up in the walls of your arteries. These can gradually grow and make it increasingly difficult for blood to flow through your blood vessels, putting increased pressure on your heart.

High levels of triglycerides may contribute to arteriosclerosis, which is the hardening or thivckining of the artery wall.

High cholesterol can be caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices, but can also be genetic. Quite often it is possible to reduce cholesterol levels with healthier lifestyle choices, but there are simple and effective medications, such as statins, available too.

Having diabetes means that there are often high levels of glucose in your blood which can damage blood vessels. It can also cause damage to your nerves which control your heart.

People with diabetes are also more likely to have other conditions that can raise the risk of heart disease, such as hypertension, or high blood pressure. This can cause damage to your artery walls as the blood is pushed through with such increased force.

People with diabetes are two to four times as likely to develop cardiovascular disease.

C-reactive protein (or CRP) is a protein your body naturally makes when something is becoming inflammed.

A raised CRP level may relate to inflamed arteries but can also be caused by an infection or illness so it is important to look at this in combination with your other test results.

There are recent studies evidencing that people with elevated levels of C-reactive protein had a three times greater risk of having a heart attack.