How to do an At-Home Heart Test
Have you ever needed to complete a routine heart test, but just could not find the time or desire to go to a doctor’s appointment or sit in a crowded laboratory lobby? With at-home heart tests, you can still get accurate results in a matter of days without having to leave your home.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, so completing health heart checks on time can actually save your life. In this article, we will explore at-home heart health test kits by discussing how they are completed, how accurate they are, and the benefits of using them.
Can I Do an At-Home Heart Test?
The simple answer to that is YES! There are many at-home heart test kits that you can use to check up on your cardiovascular health. Effective heart testing can be done in the comfort of your home to measure the levels of certain compounds and help determine if you are at risk for certain heart conditions.
There are numerous brands, many of which are well-established in the pharmaceutical industry, that have made it their duty to design and develop at-home test kits for people to take a comprehensive look at their heart health from home.
Home heart health tests can help you determine your cholesterol level, blood pressure, heart rate, and more. Many of these tests will provide you with detailed results so you can arm yourself with the knowledge to adopt best practices to reduce the risk of heart disease.
The American Heart Association has outlined several ways that one can prevent and manage heart disease, one of which includes regular heart health testing. The most commonly used method of at-home heart testing uses a blood sample collected via the finger prick method.
An at-home heart test can help you to detect impending cardiac conditions, such as coronary heart disease, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, heart failure, and issues with your blood vessels. They are also ideal for monitoring and managing already diagnosed conditions.
Additionally, home heart health test results can identify key indicators for pre-diabetes, heart attacks, and more.
How Can I Do an At-Home Heart Test?
Home heart tests are generally pretty easy to use and are typically delivered with very clear instructions for you to follow. However, to make the experience even easier for you, we will share a few things that you must know and take into consideration for successful home heart testing.
In general, at-home heart test kits use a small blood sample collected by pricking your finger. Fear not, the sample collection is not painful, but it is important because faulty sample collection is likely to yield faulty test results. The exact procedure for the finger-prick will vary based on the tools provided with your home heart test kit.
The Basic Steps
These are the basic steps that are similar across all types of sample collection devices:
- Search for a reputable company and register online with the company you are purchasing the kit to do your heart test at home.
- Next, once the package gets delivered to you, read the instructions and collect the sample for your heart home test as directed. Do not rush the process; this can cause mistakes, which can lead to inaccurate test results.
- Once you have collected your sample, package and ship it to the lab address provided. The company you purchase your kit from often provides a pre-paid shipping label and envelope for you to ship the sample in.
- In a few days, your sample will be tested by a CLIA-certified lab.
- Lastly, check for your results either via email or your online account with the company. The results are usually ready five-seven days after sample submission.
- If your results concern you, contact a medical professional as soon as possible.
Need to Know
These are general directives, so it is essential that you carefully and thoroughly read the specific instructions provided with your test kit. Failing to do so will lower the likelihood of receiving accurate test results. False-positive or false-negative results pose a threat to your health and safety.
Additionally, you must pay attention to expiration dates, which usually vary depending on the kit you use. Be sure to use the kit before it expires, but also, send your sample to the lab as soon as you’ve collected it so that it can be properly stored before it’s analyzed.
Where to Get At-Home Heart Test Kits
Knowing the basics about heart home test kits is just the start, you also need to know where you can purchase reliable heart test kits. There are numerous online stores that you can vet and purchase tests from. Searching for trustworthy heart test kit manufacturers can be a tedious task, so, to help you choose the best kit for your needs, we have compiled a list of the Best At-home Heart Test Kits that you can check out.
Are At-Home Heart Test Kits Accurate?
In short, yes you can. The majority of at-home heart test kits on the market are just as accurate as traditional lab tests. Many of these companies have had their tests validated in clinical trials and their data and methods peer-reviewed by the scientific and medical community, respectively. These brands are subjected to strict testing and must meet high standards. Additionally, they must get both state and federal certifications and use a certified laboratory to complete sample analysis.
Furthermore, the finger prick blood sample must be collected in accordance with the instructions accompanying your kit. Failing to do so could lead to contamination of your blood sample, false-positive results, false-negative results, or other errors. Accurate sample collection and packaging for return to the lab are vital for CLIA-certified laboratory processing.
Each test measures a variety of cardiovascular biomarkers to provide a comprehensive view of your heart’s health, including, hs-CRP, total cholesterol, glucose, triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C, and HbA1. These biomarkers are key determinants of your cardiovascular health and can easily lead to cardiovascular disease if not kept within a normal range.
At-home heart health test results can help you determine if your systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, red blood cells, coronary arteries, blood flow, heart muscle, heartbeat, blood sugar, and more are outside of the recommended range. If you find they are, see your healthcare provider as soon as you can.
Conclusion
Knowing the status of your health is extremely important considering how common and deadly heart disease can be. With the convenience and accuracy of at-home heart test kits, it’s easier than ever to regularly monitor your indicators of heart health in order to prevent or manage cardiac conditions.