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90 day money-back guarantee
Lab order in minutes
Save a trip to the doctor
Low prices since 2005
Labs within 2 miles
Private, accurate & secure
Always private
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Match your cardiovascular question to the right panel

Each of these answers a different question beyond standard cholesterol.

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A heart health test compares measurements linked with cardiovascular risk, including cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL particles, apolipoprotein B (ApoB), lipoprotein(a), inflammation, and blood sugar. Shoppers often want to look beyond a standard cholesterol result, assess metabolic factors alongside lipids, or follow up on a particular result. Start by deciding whether your question centers on LDL particle and ApoB detail, inflammation and lipoprotein(a), glucose and triglycerides, or a focused ApoA1-to-ApoB ratio.

What different cardiovascular measurements help assess

Cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and non-HDL cholesterol describe different circulating lipid measures. ApoB reflects the number of certain cholesterol-containing particles, while LDL particle number adds particle-count detail beyond LDL cholesterol. Lipoprotein(a), often written Lp(a), is a distinct lipoprotein measurement that helps inform cardiovascular risk discussions. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) measures a protein associated with inflammation; it is not specific to the heart. Homocysteine and fibrinogen activity add other information used in cardiovascular risk assessment. Results are most useful when considered together with personal history and a clinician’s assessment, especially when values are notably outside the laboratory reference range.

When glucose and triglycerides belong in the comparison

Cardiovascular concerns often overlap with questions about glucose and triglycerides. The Metabolic Syndrome Profile (Advanced) measures glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, non-HDL cholesterol, the cholesterol-to-HDL ratio, hs-CRP, and GGT. Glucose shows the amount of sugar in the blood at collection, while triglycerides are a circulating fat measurement that is often interpreted alongside HDL and LDL cholesterol. GGT is an enzyme measurement that adds information from a different body system and should not be read as a cardiac result. This combination suits a shopper who wants lipid and glucose measurements in one set of results rather than LDL particle testing.

Why an advanced lipid result differs from LDL cholesterol alone

LDL cholesterol estimates the cholesterol carried by LDL particles; it does not itself state how many LDL particles are present. The Cardio IQ Advanced Lipid Panel measures LDL particle number, small LDL, LDL medium, LDL peak size, LDL pattern, HDL large, ApoB, lipoprotein(a), total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, non-HDL cholesterol, the cholesterol-to-HDL ratio, and LDL cholesterol. Those results separate cholesterol concentration from particle-related measurements. The Advanced Heart & Metabolic Health Panel includes the same advanced lipid measurements. A focused alternative, Heart Attack Risk Assessment: Apo A1 & Apo B, measures ApoA1, ApoB, and the ApoB/ApoA1 ratio for shoppers whose question is specifically about those apolipoproteins.

Heart Health FAQ

A heart health test measures one or more blood markers used to inform cardiovascular risk discussions. Available options include total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, non-HDL cholesterol, ApoB, ApoA1, LDL particle number, lipoprotein(a), hs-CRP, homocysteine, fibrinogen activity, and glucose. No single result diagnoses heart disease; patterns, history, symptoms, and professional review matter.

ApoB reflects the number of certain cholesterol-containing particles in circulation, whereas LDL cholesterol reflects the cholesterol carried by LDL particles. The Cardio IQ Advanced Lipid Panel reports both ApoB and LDL cholesterol, along with LDL particle number. Looking at these measures together helps distinguish particle-related information from cholesterol concentration alone.

LDL particle number provides a particle-count measure, and small LDL describes one LDL particle subgroup. The Cardio IQ Advanced Lipid Panel also reports LDL medium, LDL peak size, LDL pattern, ApoB, and LDL cholesterol, allowing those values to be viewed alongside one another. These measurements support a more detailed lipid discussion than LDL cholesterol by itself.

Lipoprotein(a) is a distinct lipoprotein measurement included in the Cardio IQ Advanced Lipid Panel and the Intensive Cardiovascular Panel Male & Female. It is interpreted as part of an overall cardiovascular risk picture rather than as a stand-alone diagnosis. A clinician can help relate an Lp(a) result to family history, other lipid values, and personal risk factors.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein measures a protein associated with inflammation and is included in the Metabolic Syndrome Profile (Advanced) and Intensive Cardiovascular Panel Male & Female. hs-CRP does not identify the source of inflammation or diagnose a heart condition. Infection, injury, and other inflammatory states can affect it, so an unexpected result merits context and, when appropriate, professional review.

The Metabolic Syndrome Profile (Advanced) measures glucose with total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, non-HDL cholesterol, and the cholesterol-to-HDL ratio. It also includes hs-CRP and GGT. That combination is useful when the question involves blood sugar alongside standard lipid measurements rather than LDL particle number or ApoB-focused testing.

The ApoB/ApoA1 ratio compares ApoB with ApoA1, two apolipoprotein measurements. Heart Attack Risk Assessment: Apo A1 & Apo B measures ApoA1, ApoB, and their ratio without adding a full cholesterol or glucose set. It fits a focused apolipoprotein question; interpretation benefits from considering related lipid results and personal cardiovascular history.

Triglycerides and HDL cholesterol are both included in the Metabolic Syndrome Profile (Advanced), along with LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, glucose, and the cholesterol-to-HDL ratio. Reviewing them together gives a more complete lipid picture than either value alone. Food intake, alcohol use, recent illness, and other factors can influence triglycerides, so collection circumstances and repeat testing decisions should be discussed with a professional.

No. Cholesterol results are only part of cardiovascular risk assessment. The Intensive Cardiovascular Panel Male & Female adds hs-CRP, homocysteine, fibrinogen activity, ApoA1, ApoB, the ApoB/ApoA1 ratio, lipoprotein(a), and vitamin D measurements. A normal or abnormal result in any one area does not establish a diagnosis; family history and clinical factors remain important.

Ordering & Results FAQ

You'll receive it via email within 60 seconds of your order unless it requires additional processing (only very complex orders do).

Many general wellness test results are typically available online within 2-3 business days. However, some tests will require additional processing time. You will immediately receive an email & SMS notification when your results are available.

We do not share your results with your physician, insurance company, or any other third party.