Description

Your blood offers many clues about your heart health. For example, high levels of “bad” cholesterol in your blood can be a sign that you’re at increased risk of having a heart attack. And other substances in your blood can help your doctor determine if you have heart failure or are at risk of developing fatty deposits (plaques) in your arteries (atherosclerosis).

The most common types of blood tests used to assess heart conditions are:

• Cardiac enzyme tests (including CK-MB and troponin tests) – these help diagnose or exclude a heart attack
• complete blood picture – this measures different types of blood levels and can show, for example, if there is an infection or if you have anaemia. 
• Thyroid function tests – these show if you have an underactive or overactive thyroid gland, which produces a hormone called thyroxine. If the levels are abnormal they can be linked to some heart conditions and symptoms linked to having a slow or fast heart rate or palpitation.
• Lipid profile – measures your cholesterol level and breakdown of good and bad fats found in your blood.
• BNP (B-type natriuretic peptides) tests – these show the level of a hormone in your blood which if elevated can be a sign of heart failure

Who should do the tests

Heart failure signs and symptoms may include:

• Shortness of breath (dyspnea) when you exert yourself or when you lie down.
• Fatigue and weakness.
• Swelling (edema) in your legs, ankles and feet.
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
• Reduced ability to exercise.
• Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged phlegm.