"Know Your Heart Series", Diagnostic Testing, Blood Tests

There are Fundamental Blood Tests that are important in order for the Cardiologist to assess an individuals heart health. These tests include a Lipid Panel, which measures Cholesterol, High Density Lipoprotein, Low Density Lipoprotien, and Triglycerides. The Complete Blood Count is of importance, in that it can indicate whether an infectious process is occuring in the body, via an abnormally high White Blood Cell Count. In addition, an abnormally low Hemoglobin/Hematocrit, can be consistant with Anemia. Anemia can induce Ischemia in the Heart, due to the fact that there is inadequate Oxygen transporting capacity of the Red Blood Cells. A Metabolic Panel is an important blood test, in that it includes the Heart Electrolytes, Potassium, Sodium, Calcium and Magnesium (sometimes Magnesium must be ordered seperately). In addition, the Metabolic Panel includes the Renal Function (Blood Urea Nitrogen/BUN, and Creatinine, Effective Glomerular Filtration Rate/eGFR). Abnormal kidney function effects the filtration of the blood, including electrolyte levels, which, if abnormal, could cause a Heart Rhythm Disturbances. Lastly, the Serial Cardiac Enzymes are important, in that the Troponin I is the most sensitive measure of damage to the heart muscle cells. The Troponin I is released upon the death of heart muscle cells (the Myocyte) into the blood-stream. The abnormally high Troponin I, and abnormal changes in the EKG, are clinically suggestive for a Myocardial Infarction. Also included in the Serial Cardiac Enzymes are the CKMB, which when abnormally high, is closely linked to skeletal muscle death.

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Tags:

• Serial Cardiac Enzymes
• Troponin I
• CKMB
• Myocyte
• Lipid Panel
• Cholesterol
• High Density Lipoprotein
• Low Density Lipoprotein
• Triglycerides
• Metabolic Panel
• BUN
• Creatinine
• Potassium
• Sodium
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Complete Blood Count
• CBC
• Hemaglobin
• Hematocrit
• White Blood Cell Count