InsideTracker Heart Health blood test - 7 blood values

InsideTracker gives members a Heart Health score from 0 to 100, calculated from a fixed set of blood values. If you search for InsideTracker in the Netherlands, you usually want those values measured without a membership and without shipping a sample to the United States.

This blood test is that alternative: the same 7 blood values behind the Heart Health category, drawn at a certified Dutch lab and returned digitally in your account, with an assessment by a BIG-registered doctor.

The strength of this panel is ApoB: it counts the number of atherogenic particles in your blood and often predicts cardiovascular risk better than LDL cholesterol alone.

This panel may suit people who want to track their cardiovascular risk objectively. It can be relevant for:

• People with cardiovascular disease in the family
• People who want to follow up a previously elevated cholesterol
• People who want to see the effect of a diet or lifestyle change on their blood lipids
• People who want the InsideTracker Heart Health category measured in the Netherlands

This panel measures 7 blood values:

• Lipoproteins: ApoB, the number of particles carrying cholesterol through your blood.
• Cholesterol profile: Total Cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and Triglycerides.
• Inflammation: hs-CRP.
• Thyroid: TSH, because your thyroid function influences your cholesterol values.

The results show how your lipid profile, your inflammation value and your thyroid function compare to the reference ranges. The combination is especially informative: a normal LDL with a high ApoB means something different than both being elevated.

If you want a broader view of your metabolism, our InsideTracker Metabolism blood test also measures your blood sugar and insulin. The full InsideTracker blood test measures 36 blood values in one go. Keep in mind that a single value is not a diagnosis.

For this blood test, a staff member draws a small tube of blood at a certified location. You can choose from 700+ collection sites, so there is almost always a location near you.

You only need your appointment confirmation and a valid ID. The draw usually takes just a few minutes.

Some people choose to measure these values:

• When family history makes them want early insight into their risk profile
• When they want to follow up a previously deviating cholesterol result
• When they want to track the effect of diet, exercise or weight loss on their lipids
• When they want an informed conversation about heart health with their GP

What the results mean depends on your personal situation: your age, blood pressure, smoking status and family history all weigh into your overall risk profile.

Always discuss any deviating values with your GP, so you know what the results may mean for you personally.

For your triglycerides, fasting is advisable: do not eat for 10 to 12 hours before the draw and drink only water. Your cholesterol and ApoB are less sensitive to food, but fasting makes results most comparable.

Drink enough water on the day of the draw. If in doubt, discuss your situation with your GP.

You receive your results digitally in your account, usually within a few working days. For each value, you can see whether it falls within the reference range.

Every blood test result includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.