what tests are there (blood tests) that can show risk for heart disease or how your arteries are? i have atena ins and i know they wont cover any cardio blood work but can i go to a lab and pay to have these tests taken?

I'm not sure about cardio blood work other than a lipoprotien tests that break it all down on a molecular level. Then you need a good doc who can interpret these results. This test is much more in depth than a simple lipid profile. It can reveal things such as showing areas creating inflamation. You might google heart blood tests and see what you come up with. The Cleveland Clinic highly recommends this test for those that have or suspect diseased arteries.

Brenlee

I just had blood work - lipid profile and the regular tests. I also had these cardio tests done, because luckily, my insurance pays for them: homocystein, apolipoprotein B, high sensitivity CRP. You can research them. They are quite costly tests to do. Did your doctor recommend that you have them?

those 3 cardio tests how much does it cost? my dr sd its not neccessary but i want them checked bc of chest pain, had stress test that was normal but still get pain. i do have mitral valve regurgatation

rc1975 -
I recently requested a heart/artery "check up" at my docs office after finding out that my mother has hardening of the arteries and recently had 3 stents due to 80% and 99% blockage in two of her arteries to her heart (no heart damage though). Her father had hardening of the arteries as well and lost both of his legs due to artery disease. I have chest pressure ocasionally, on movement (not exertion) and have been treated off and on for GERD for about 3-4 years now. After the family history with mom, I'm worried it may be angina - which my mother had before learning she needed the stents. Blood tests my doc ordered were a lipid panel (which is cholesterol checks), a homocystine test, and c-reactive protein. I am following up with a cardiologist next week. I really would like to stress test just to be proactive.

I live in Canada, so the prices may be different here. We have medicare, so most blood tests are no charge if done at a hospital. There are certain heart blood tests that hospitals are not able to do. I had mine done privately. I'll let you know the cost as soon as I get the bill.