Cardiac Basic Package

Cardiac Basic Package

The Cardiac Basic Package is a heart health blood test panel that checks the main risk factors for heart attack and stroke: cholesterol, inflammation (hs-CRP), blood sugar (fasting glucose and HbA1c) and kidney function, along with Troponin T, a marker of heart muscle damage. It includes 8 tests with over 50 parameters, uses a blood and urine sample collected at home, and reports are ready in about 7 hours.

What is the Cardiac Basic Package?

The Cardiac Basic Package is a set of blood and urine tests that shows how likely you are to develop heart disease. Most heart attacks are caused by blocked arteries that build up silently over years, driven by high cholesterol, diabetes, inflammation and kidney strain. This package measures each of these risk factors in one sample, so you and your doctor can act before symptoms start.

Key facts

• Tests included: 8 tests, over 50 parameters
• Sample: blood and urine
• Fasting: 10-12 hours overnight, plain water allowed
• Report time: about 7 hours after sample collection
• Home sample collection: yes, available in Lucknow
• Prescription: not required

Tests included in the Cardiac Basic Package

• Lipid Profile (7 parameters): total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL and VLDL cholesterol, and the LDL/HDL and total cholesterol/HDL ratios. High LDL and triglycerides and low HDL raise the risk of blocked arteries.
• hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein): measures low-grade inflammation in the blood vessels, which predicts heart attack risk independently of cholesterol.
• Troponin T: a protein released into the blood when heart muscle is damaged. Doctors use it to help diagnose a heart attack and heart muscle strain.
• Fasting Blood Glucose and HbA1c: screen for diabetes and prediabetes. HbA1c shows your average blood sugar over the last 2-3 months. Diabetes roughly doubles the risk of heart disease.
• Creatinine: checks kidney function, which is closely linked to blood pressure and heart health.
• Complete Blood Count (CBC, 21 parameters): haemoglobin, red and white blood cells and platelets. Anaemia makes the heart work harder.
• Urine Routine (20 parameters): protein, sugar and other markers that can show early kidney damage from diabetes or high blood pressure.

Who should take this heart test?

• Adults over 30 as a yearly heart check, or earlier if heart disease runs in the family
• People with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity or thyroid disease
• Smokers, and people with an inactive lifestyle or long-term stress
• Anyone taking cholesterol or diabetes medicines who needs a follow-up check
• People with tiredness, breathlessness on exertion or palpitations, when advised by a doctor

How to prepare for the test

• Fast for 10-12 hours overnight before the blood sample. You may drink plain water.
• Avoid alcohol and heavy, fatty food for 24 hours before the test.
• Take your regular medicines unless your doctor advises otherwise, and tell the phlebotomist which ones you take.
• Give a first-morning midstream urine sample in the sterile container provided.

Understanding your results

Common reference targets for adults are listed below. Your report shows the lab's own ranges, and your doctor gives the final interpretation.

• LDL cholesterol: below 100 mg/dL is optimal
• HDL cholesterol: 40 mg/dL or more for men, 50 mg/dL or more for women
• Triglycerides: below 150 mg/dL
• hs-CRP: below 1 mg/L low risk, 1-3 mg/L average risk, above 3 mg/L high risk
• Fasting glucose: 70-99 mg/dL normal, 100-125 mg/dL prediabetes, 126 mg/dL or more diabetes
• HbA1c: below 5.7% normal, 5.7-6.4% prediabetes, 6.5% or more diabetes

A raised Troponin T needs prompt review by a doctor.

Chest pain is an emergency

This package is a screening and risk test. It is not a CT scan, ECG or echocardiogram and does not replace them. If you have chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to the arm or jaw, sweating or sudden breathlessness now, do not wait for a home test: call 108 or the Med Cab 24/7 ambulance helpline on 1800-890-8208.

Why book the Cardiac Basic Package with Med Cab?

• Sample collected at home by trained phlebotomists, at a slot you choose
• Reports online in about 7 hours
• No prescription needed
• Med Cab also arranges ambulances and doctor consultations if your results need follow-up