Learn Quick from a Finger Stick

A quick finger stick blood test can give you three measurements of important risk factors that can save your life.

The key three measurements -- cholesterol, glucose, and one you might not know - C-reactive protein.

Let's start with the least known - C-reactive protein. This protein shows the presence of inflammation.  It is released into the bloodstream when blood vessels leading to the heart are constricted or damaged.  It can also be released in response to an injury or infection, so an elevated CRP in an otherwise healthy individual should be repeated.

Some have questioned whether elevated CRP should be treated as a cause of cardiovascular disease which would imply developing medicines to lower CRP could be beneficial.  New evidence out this past June and reported widely in the news media solidified that this is not the case. CRP is a marker of disease, but not a cause.

See a report on the recent CRP research as reported in Reuters.

When cholesterol is measured, you receive several different numbers that give you a total "lipid profile," which is a detailed measure of the fats in your blood.  Cholesterol is a soft, waxy fat.  It is found in the blood stream and is something your body and cells need.  Cholesterol can be dangerous, however, when it sticks to the sides of arteries and forms a buildup that blocks blood flow. It is important to keep cholesterol to normal and healthy levels.

See this WebMD video for more on cholesterol.

Glucose is a measure of blood sugar level and can indicate your risk for diabetes. People with pre-diabetes or diabetes are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.  In fact, 2 out of 3 people with diabetes die from stroke or heart disease, according to the American Diabetes Association.

See this WebMD video for more on diabetes.

Know these important measurements to monitor your cardiovascular health.

Learn more about finger stick blood screenings.

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