Comprehensive Cardiac Blood Test in London
Advanced Heart Health & Cardiovascular Blood Testing at Marylebone Diagnostic Centre
Heart health is about much more than cholesterol.
The MDC Comprehensive Cardiac Profile brings together a wide range of blood biomarkers that can help doctors assess cardiovascular and metabolic health, investigate relevant symptoms and identify factors that may contribute to cardiovascular risk.
The profile includes standard cholesterol testing alongside Lipoprotein(a), Troponin T, diabetes markers, kidney function, electrolytes, thyroid function, iron studies, vitamins and other important laboratory investigations.
It is available from our diagnostic centre at 73 Baker Street, Marylebone, London, and is also used for patients referred to MDC by external healthcare professionals.
Your Heart Is Connected to the Rest of Your Body
Cardiovascular health cannot always be understood from cholesterol alone.
Blood sugar, kidney function, thyroid hormones, inflammation, iron status, electrolytes and inherited lipid factors can all provide useful information when evaluating someone's wider health.
That's why MDC's Cardiac Profile looks beyond a conventional lipid panel.
One blood collection provides a broad laboratory assessment covering cardiovascular risk markers and several related body systems.
What Does the MDC Cardiac Profile Test?
- Total Cholesterol
- HDL Cholesterol
- LDL Cholesterol
- Non-HDL Cholesterol
Cholesterol testing remains an important part of cardiovascular risk assessment.
High levels of cholesterol, particularly cholesterol carried in atherogenic particles, can contribute to fatty deposits developing within arteries.
The British Heart Foundation notes that cholesterol levels cannot be determined simply by how someone feels; a blood test is required.
One of the most important additions to the MDC Cardiac Profile.
Lipoprotein(a), usually written as Lp(a), is a type of lipoprotein associated with cardiovascular risk.
Unlike ordinary cholesterol levels, Lp(a) concentration is largely determined genetically.
This means someone can live a healthy lifestyle and have apparently reasonable routine cholesterol results while still having elevated Lp(a).
High Lp(a) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, including heart attack and stroke, and is not routinely included in a standard cholesterol test.
Why might knowing your Lp(a) matter? It may be particularly relevant if you have:
- A family history of premature heart disease
- A family history of elevated Lp(a)
- Familial hypercholesterolaemia
- Cardiovascular disease that seems disproportionate to conventional risk factors
For many people, Lp(a) may only need to be measured once because levels are predominantly genetically determined.
Troponin is a protein associated with heart muscle.
Troponin testing is widely used clinically when doctors are assessing possible heart muscle injury.
However, this needs an important safety message:
A private Cardiac Profile must never be used instead of emergency medical assessment.
If you are experiencing new or severe chest pain, pressure or tightness, severe breathlessness, collapse, or symptoms that could represent a heart attack, seek urgent medical attention rather than booking a routine blood test.
- Glucose
- HbA1c
Diabetes and persistently elevated blood glucose are important cardiovascular risk factors.
HbA1c provides information about average blood glucose over the preceding weeks and months and can help identify diabetes or increased diabetes risk when interpreted appropriately.
- Creatinine
- Urea
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Chloride
- Bicarbonate
- Magnesium
The cardiovascular system and kidneys are closely connected.
Kidney function and electrolyte abnormalities can be relevant when assessing blood pressure, medication, hydration and wider cardiovascular health.
- TSH
- Free T4
- Free T3
Thyroid hormones influence heart rate, metabolism and many other body systems.
Both overactive and underactive thyroid conditions can produce symptoms that sometimes overlap with cardiovascular problems, including palpitations, fatigue and changes in heart rate.
The Full Blood Count (FBC) measures important components of your blood, including:
- Red blood cells
- Haemoglobin
- White blood cells
- Platelets
For example, anaemia can contribute to tiredness, breathlessness and palpitations, symptoms that may sometimes be mistaken for primarily cardiac problems.
- Iron
- Ferritin
- TIBC
- UIBC
Iron status is particularly relevant when investigating fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance and some forms of anaemia.
- Total Protein
- ALT
- AST
- ALP
- GGT
- Albumin
- Globulin
- Total Bilirubin
Liver health is closely related to metabolism, and liver function may also be relevant when clinicians are assessing medications and wider metabolic health.
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B12
- Folate
These tests provide additional information about nutritional status and can be useful when investigating symptoms such as fatigue or weakness.
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) is a non-specific marker that can rise in inflammatory conditions.
It does not diagnose heart disease by itself but provides additional clinical information when interpreted alongside other results.
Creatine Kinase is an enzyme found primarily in muscle.
CK can increase following muscle injury or strenuous exercise and may also be relevant in particular clinical situations or when monitoring certain medicines.
One Blood Test. A Much Wider View.
More than a cholesterol test. A comprehensive laboratory view of factors relevant to cardiovascular and general health.
Who May Benefit from a Comprehensive Cardiac Blood Test?
This profile may be worth discussing with a healthcare professional if you:
- Want a comprehensive cardiovascular health assessment.
- Have a family history of heart disease or stroke.
- Have a family history of premature cardiovascular disease.
- Have high cholesterol.
- Have high blood pressure.
- Have diabetes or increased diabetes risk.
- Have previously been told your cholesterol is abnormal.
- Want to know your Lipoprotein(a).
- Are being monitored by a cardiologist or another doctor.
- Have relevant symptoms requiring medical assessment.
- Want a broader assessment than a standard cholesterol test.
The appropriate investigations always depend on your individual medical history and circumstances.
Standard Cholesterol Test vs MDC Comprehensive Cardiac Profile
| Marker | Standard Lipid Test | MDC Comprehensive Cardiac Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | ✓ | ✓ |
| HDL | ✓ | ✓ |
| LDL | ✓ | ✓ |
| Non-HDL | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lipoprotein(a) | ✓ | |
| Troponin T | ✓ | |
| HbA1c & glucose | ✓ | |
| Kidney function | ✓ | |
| Electrolytes & magnesium | ✓ | |
| Thyroid function | ✓ | |
| Full Blood Count | ✓ | |
| Iron profile | ✓ | |
| Liver function | ✓ | |
| Vitamin D, B12 & Folate | ✓ | |
| ESR | ✓ | |
| CK | ✓ |
£299 including blood collection at MDC.
Why Test Lipoprotein(a) If My Cholesterol Is Normal?
Routine cholesterol and Lp(a) are not the same thing.
Lp(a) is strongly influenced by genetics and is not normally included in a conventional lipid profile. The British Heart Foundation identifies elevated Lp(a) as a cardiovascular risk factor and notes its relevance particularly in people with a family history of premature coronary disease or inherited lipid disorders.
Therefore, a conventional cholesterol result does not tell you what your Lp(a) concentration is.
What If My Results Are Abnormal?
An abnormal blood result does not automatically mean that you have heart disease.
Results need to be interpreted alongside factors such as:
- Age
- Blood pressure
- Smoking
- Family history
- Symptoms
- Existing medical conditions
- Medication
- Previous cardiovascular disease
- Other investigations
Depending on your results and clinical history, further assessment may be appropriate.
This could include discussion with your GP, a cardiologist or another suitable healthcare professional.
Blood Tests Cannot See Everything
The MDC Cardiac Profile provides extensive laboratory information, but a blood test cannot directly show the structure of your heart or coronary arteries.
Depending on symptoms and risk, doctors may recommend other investigations such as:
- Blood pressure assessment
- ECG
- Echocardiography
- Ambulatory monitoring
- CT imaging
- Other specialist cardiovascular investigations
The purpose of comprehensive blood testing is to provide another important part of the overall cardiovascular picture.
Referred by Your Cardiologist or Doctor?
Marylebone Diagnostic Centre works with healthcare professionals who refer patients to us for diagnostic investigations.
If your cardiologist, GP or another healthcare professional has recommended cardiac blood testing, you can attend MDC for sample collection and receive your laboratory results for onward clinical review.
Please bring any relevant referral information or test request with you.
Healthcare Professionals
Clinicians wishing to refer patients or discuss diagnostic testing can contact the MDC team directly.
Why Choose MDC for Cardiac Blood Testing?
Frequently Asked Questions
Understand More About Your Heart Health
Your cardiovascular health is influenced by more than one number.
The MDC Comprehensive Cardiac Profile combines conventional cholesterol testing with Lp(a), metabolic markers, thyroid function, kidney function, blood health, nutritional markers and other important laboratory investigations.
Whether you are taking a proactive approach to your health or have been referred by a healthcare professional, our team is here to make diagnostic testing straightforward.
Comprehensive Cardiac Profile: £299 Including Phlebotomy
Marylebone Diagnostic Centre, 73 Baker Street, London W1U 6RD
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