Cardiovascular Risk Panel Test | Heart Panel Blood Test

Advanced Heart Health Test Panel

Measure traditional cholesterol, triglyceride, and hs-CRP levels, as well as advanced biomarkers (apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein(a), and Lp-PLA2 activity) to assess your personalized risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) or stroke. Read more

Test details

Sample type:

Blood

Preparation:

Fasting (not eating or drinking anything except water) for 8-12 hours is recommended. If you are taking supplements or medications, check with your healthcare provider to see whether you should take them before the test.

Test type: In Person

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$215.00

+ $6.00 Physician Service Fee

Quantity

About the Test

This cardiovascular risk panel combines traditional cholesterol testing with advanced cholesterol and inflammatory biomarker testing to help you and your healthcare provider to identify “hidden risks” and act sooner. It may be appropriate for any individual with a family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), those who want to better understand their CVD risk, and those desiring a more personalized approach to CVD risk assessment and primary prevention. Early screening with the Advanced Heart Health Test Panel, combined with proper diet, exercise, and oversight from your doctor, may help reduce risk of heart attack or stroke.

CVD is the leading cause of death in men and women¹. Fifty percent of patients hospitalized with coronary artery disease have normal cholesterol levels. Knowing your current lipid (different types of fats, like cholesterol and triglycerides) and other cardiac biomarker levels, that are unique to your personal cardiovascular risk, may help you and your doctor identify issues before they become problematic.

With Quest, you can buy this advanced heart panel blood test online and get testing at a nearby location – no doctor’s visit required.

This cardiovascular risk panel test may be right for you if any of the following are true:

You want to better understand your risk of a heart attack, heart disease, stroke, and other diseases of the blood vessels
You have identified multiple CVD risk factors, such as:
- Age (risk increases with age)
- Being overweight or obese
- High blood pressure
- Lifestyle risk factors (ie, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, etc.)
- Reproductive health history risk factors (ie, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, PCOS, etc.)
- Family history of CVD
You are at risk for or have pre-diabetes/diabetes
You have a history of CVD

This test panel measures the following levels in your blood that are commonly evaluated by healthcare providers to determine risk of heart attack or stroke.

This measures the total amount of cholesterol found in your blood. This is the combination of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or “good”) cholesterol. Too much cholesterol in your blood may damage arteries and blood vessels, which may increase the risk for a stroke, heart attack, and heart disease.

HDL, which is often called "good" cholesterol, picks up extra cholesterol that is circulating in the blood, using apolipoprotein A, and takes it back to your liver so it can be removed from your body.

Triglycerides are fats that are formed from foods such as oils, dairy, and red meat. These fats get converted into triglycerides and are stored away in fat cells to be used when needed. High levels of triglycerides can lead to hardening and thickening of the arteries.

LDL, often called "bad" cholesterol, transports cholesterol throughout your body to the cells that need it. Too much LDL can make cholesterol build up in your arteries, making them narrow and stiff, or blocking them, which makes it more difficult for blood to flow.

Cholesterol/HDL ratio is the ratio of HDL to your total cholesterol. A higher ratio means that you don’t have enough HDL for the amount of LDL, and that can lead to cardiovascular disease.

Non-HDL cholesterol measures the combined amount of cholesterol in the blood that is not HDL cholesterol. High levels of non-HDL cholesterol may increase the risk of atherosclerosis (narrowing of arteries).

Advanced lipid testing with ion mobility measures the LDL and HDL cholesterol size and amount that is circulating in the blood. A higher number of small LDL particles may increase risk of CVD, heart attack, or stroke, even if traditional LDL cholesterol levels are normal.

Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) carries LDL cholesterol and other potentially harmful lipid particles around the body. It includes all cholesterol particles that can form plaque in your arteries and lead to cardiovascular disease. Levels of ApoB can indicate a risk of cardiovascular disease, even if traditional LDL cholesterol levels are normal.

Lipoprotein(a), like LDL, is a low-density lipoprotein that transports cholesterol throughout the body. Too much of it can cause cholesterol to build up in your blood vessels, forming plaques and reducing blood flow to your brain, heart, and other body parts.

High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) is more sensitive than a CRP test and accurately detects low but persistent levels of inflammation, which may be associated with developing cardiovascular disease.

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA₂) is an enzyme (active protein) that is a marker of cardiovascular inflammation. Cardiovascular inflammation may suggest you have an “injury” in your body, such as cholesterol buildup. Measuring Lp-PLA₂ Activity can identify active plaque in your artery walls that causes cardiovascular disease. High levels of Lp-PLA₂ Activity increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Signs and symptoms of cardiac associated health issues may be hard to recognize or go unnoticed. However, in many cases high cholesterol, inflammation, or elevated lipoprotein(a) can increase the risk for a heart attack or stroke. A blood test is the only way to know for sure if you have high cholesterol or lipoprotein(a).

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION:

Chest pain or discomfort
Shortness of breath
Pain or weakness in one or both arms
Pain in the back, neck, jaw, or stomach
Speech difficulty
Other associated symptoms of stroke such as face drooping

You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a test on questhealth.com. Purchases not permitted in: AK, AZ, HI.

After you provide your specimen, it generally takes 7-10 business days to process and release your test results. However, processing times may vary. Your test results will be available in a clear and easy-to-read report. If your results differ from expected ranges, you may receive an alert call from an independent healthcare coordinator. Independent physicians are available to discuss questions or concerns you may have regarding your results.

How it works

questhealth.com offers 100+ consumer-initiated Quest Diagnostics lab tests to empower you to have more control over your health journey. Choose from a variety of test types that best suit your needs.

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Schedule an appointment

Visit Quest for sample collection

Complete your test sample collection during your scheduled appointment.

Get fast results online

Access results online as soon as they’re available.

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Get physician support

Discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost.

Now pair your Quest lab work with Health Coaching to put your diagnostic insights into action.

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FAQs

What is cardiovascular disease or CVD?

CVD, the leading cause of death worldwide, is an umbrella term encompassing all heart and blood vessel disorders, including clogged arteries (coronary heart disease), heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, congenital heart abnormalities, and peripheral artery disease.

What’s the difference between lipoproteins, and Lp(a)?

Cholesterol travels through the bloodstream on particles made of protein and fat (lipoproteins).

Good cholesterol (HDL), bad cholesterol (LDL), and lipoprotein(a) are all lipoproteins that carry cholesterol throughout the body.

Lipoprotein(a), in short Lp(a), is referred to as “genetic” lipoprotein. Lp(a) is an LDL-like particle with an added second protein, apo(a), which acts similarly to a patch of “Velcro” on an LDL particle. It is considered a very “sticky” lipoprotein particle because of the function of the added protein.

Are there genetic risk factors for developing high cholesterol?

Yes, high cholesterol can be genetic when there's a family health history of this condition. Additionally, some individuals may inherit a life-threatening genetic disorder known as familial hypercholesterolemia. This condition causes extraordinarily high LDL cholesterol levels from a young age and, if untreated, worsens with age.

How do the Lp(a) levels increase in the blood?

Your Lp(a) level is generally between 80-90% genetically determined. An elevated Lp(a) alone increases cardiovascular disease risk. There is a greater chance of inheriting this risk factor if one of your parents also has or had elevated Lp(a).

Why can I only buy this test once?

Since this test includes Lipoprotein(a)/Lp(a) marker, which doesn't usually change over time, we limit this to one lifetime purchase.

Can I use my FSA or HSA funds to purchase tests on questhealth.com?

You may be able to use your FSA or HSA funds to purchase lab tests at questhealth.com. Please review your FSA/HSA plan or check with a tax professional to confirm specific requirements for individual eligibility.

Our references

References

CDC. Heart Disease Facts. Accessed June 4, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm)
CDC. Heart Disease Facts. Accessed June 4, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm
CDC. Heart Disease Prevalence. Accessed June 4, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus/topics/heart-disease-prevalence.htm
WHO International. Cardiovascular diseases. Accessed June 4, 2024. https://www.who.int/health-topics/cardiovascular-diseases
Quest Diagnostics. Advanced Lipid Panel with Inflammation, Cardio IQ. Accessed June 4, 2024. https://testdirectory.questdiagnostics.com/test/test-detail/94220/advanced-lipid-panel-with-inflammation-cardio-iq?p=r&q=94220&cc=PHP
Quest Diagnostics. Cardio IQ Lipoprotein Fractionation Ion Mobility. Accessed June 4, 2024. https://www.questdiagnostics.com/healthcare-professionals/clinical-education-center/faq/faq134#accordion-86db772278-item-163416259c

Tests purchased on questhealth.com are only for individuals who intend to pay directly for testing and do not want to submit a claim for reimbursement under their health insurance.

Advanced Heart Health Test Panel