Homocysteine Cardiovascular Test

An amino acid in the human body known as Homocysteine is mostly produced from eating red meat. Homocysteine is permissible at the certain level, increase of which results in cardiovascular diseases. High levels of Homocysteine lead to hardening of arteries known as atherosclerosis and blood clots. This results in heart attacks and heart diseases.

The doctor may order for the Homocysteine-Cardiovascular testing if the lipid profile tests show abnormal results. The doctor may believe that the patient is at high risk of heart attack, the test is called in for. Even in newborn babies, if the baby is susceptible to Homocystinuria, the test is conducted to check the severity of the test.

The test takes place in the form of the blood sample. The doctor may also ask for urine samples. The process of collection of the blood sample is harmless and painless. The patient may be asked to be on fast at least 12 hours before the test. Besides, any medication if the patient has been taking in regularly must also be stated to the doctor. The doctor many a time, asks the patient to refrain from the medicines, as there are chances of getting adverse results of the test.

The Homocysteine-Cardiovascular aids in knowing the following-

• To help determine if the patient is at a high risk of any heart diseases.
• To diagnose any existence of inherited disorder known as homocystinuria.
• To check the risk towards coronary heart diseases, peripheral vascular diseases.
• It aids to determine if there has been any damage to the blood vessel walls.

The blood sample collection method used is here is through venipuncture. The following procedure is followed-

• The upper portion of the arm is tied with a belt so that the veins in the arm are visible.
• A new syringe and needle are unwrapped in front of the patient.
• Once the health practitioner identifies the vein to be pricked in, the area is cleaned with an alcohol pad.
• The needle is then injected to collect the blood sample in the tube.
• Once the blood is collected, the belt is loosened.
• The pricked area is dabbed with a cotton ball.
• The patient may be asked to keep the arm folded for a couple of minutes.
• The sample blood collected is then sent to the laboratory for examination.