Cardiac Screen Test

Cardiac test is done to assess the heart function and monitor the risk factors for coronary artery disease. These include:
CBC and ESR : This is done to monitor the overall health status by measuring the blood parameters. 
Urine Rt: A urine test is used to identify any abnormalities in factors of urine which could signify an underlying condition.
ESR: It is Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, the levels of which maybe affected in case of an infection or any inflammation. 
FBS: It measures the blood sugar levels post overnight fasting of 10-12 hours. This is one of the markers to diagnose diabetes mellitus which could be a precursor to heart diseases.
Cholesterol: Cholesterol is important for steroids and hormones in the body. Abnormal levels may lead to formation of plaques or atherosclerosis which leads to clogging of the blood vessels especially the heart. 
LDH test: Lactate dehydrogenase enzyme (LDH) is a protein that is used to monitor the tissue damage as in case of heart attack. 
CPK:  These are tests that measure the creatinine phosphokinase levels in the blood as a whole and due to specific component that indicates any injury to the heart muscles. 
SGOT test: SGOT levels also indicate damage to heart muscle as also liver or kidneys.

There are multiple risk factors that increase the chances of cardiovascular complications. If one fits in any of the following criteria, it is advisable to take this test:

• Age.
• Gender.
• History of Cardiac Diseases in the Family.
• Tobacco usage.
• High blood pressure and cholesterol.
• Inactivity.
• Obesity.
• Diabetes.

Cardiac test measures the overall blood and urine parameters using CBC, ESR and Urine Rt. It also measures specific levels of Cholesterol, CPK, LDH and SGOT enzymes. Apart from this the fasting blood sugar levels are also measured. 

Cardiac test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer. Routine urine is collected in a sterile container. 

CBC : Abnormalities in the blood parameters, especially haemoglobin, WBC, platelets may be suggestive of an underlying condition requiring further investigation.
High ESR indicates an underlying infection or an inflammation. 
Urine Rt: Presence of an urine infection or abnormalities will require further investigations. 
FBS: Elevates FBS levels of >126 mg/dL is one of the criteria for diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus which could increase the cardiac risk.
Cholesterol : High cholesterol levels could lead to atherosclerosis or clogging of the arteries leading to impaired blood supply to the heart and other organs.
High levels of CPK along with other parameters are indicative of a myocardial infarction (heart attack). These levels peak after 3-6 hours and if no further injury, return to normal within 24 hours.
High SGOT levels are indicative of heart muscle damage, acute hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver damage from toxins such as excess of alcohol, metastatic carcinoma, muscle injuries
Low levels of AST are seen in renal dialysis and vitamin B6 deficiency.
High LDH levels are seen in: Kidney disease, liver disease, muscle injury, heart attack, pancreatitis, leukaemia, pulmonary infarction, haemolytic anaemia, infectious mononucleosis, sepsis
In rare cases high LDH levels alone may point towards pulmonary embolism

Numerous risk factors raise the likelihood of cardiovascular problems. It is advised that people take this test if they meet any of the following criteria:

1. Age.
2. Gender.
3. Cardiac disease history in the family.
4. Use of tobacco.
5. High cholesterol and blood pressure.
6. Inactivity.
7. Obesity.
8. Diabetes.

The doctor might advise the patient to begin these screenings earlier than normal if faced with specific heart disease risk factors or significant family history.

A cardiac CT for a calcium scoring scan does not require any special preparation in advance. A person should keep taking his/her regular prescriptions. However, for twenty-four hours before the exam, a person should abstain from coffee and smoking. To prepare for the test, dress comfortably and loosely, and take off any jewelry, eyeglasses, dentures, and hairpins that are made of metal

A doctor may advise the following if early testing reveals heart disease or if the patient has certain risk factors for CAD, such as elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, or a family history of getting CAD at a young age.

1. Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG).
2. Heart stress test.
3. Either stress echocardiography or echocardiography.
4. Cardiac CT to score calcium.
5. Coronary CT imaging (CCTA).
6. Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI).
7. Coronary catheter imaging.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Urine Routine

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS)

Cholesterol

Aspartate transaminase (AST)

Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT)

Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)

Creatine phosphokinase (CPK)

Creatine kinase (CK)