A colleague in his early fifties, sporty, no excess weight, has a heart attack out of nowhere. Everyone at the office is stunned, because he looked so healthy. That is the treacherous thing about cardiovascular disease: the risk builds up quietly over years and you usually only notice it when it seems too late.
According to the Hartstichting (Dutch Heart Foundation), cardiovascular disease is still among the leading causes of death in men in the Netherlands, and the risk often builds up silently over years. A number of blood values relate to that risk: your cholesterol, your blood sugar and inflammation markers such as hs-CRP. Important to say straight away: they do not predict disease, they give insight. A blood value is one piece of the puzzle, your whole risk is determined by your GP, not by a single number. Precisely because you notice nothing yourself, a blood test can be a useful tool to start the conversation in time.
Which blood values relate to risk?
The table below lists the most commonly named markers, with what they measure and what they do and do not say. No value stands on its own, and that is exactly why the NHG looks at your whole risk profile rather than at one abnormal number.
| Blood value | What it measures | What it does say | What it does not say |
|---|---|---|---|
| LDL cholesterol | "Bad" cholesterol | High relates to more arterial build-up | Not whether or when you get an infarction |
| Triglycerides | Fats in your blood | High can point to metabolic risk | Nothing without the rest of your profile |
| HbA1c | Average blood sugar | Raised can point to diabetes risk | No standalone heart diagnosis |
| hs-CRP | Sensitive inflammation marker | Linked to vascular risk in research | Can also rise from a common infection |
| ApoB | Number of risk particles | Can reflect risk more accurately than LDL | No fixed norm in NL, assess with your doctor |
What does an inflammation marker like hs-CRP say?
hs-CRP is a sensitive inflammation marker that has been linked to cardiovascular risk in research. Here is the catch: a raised value can also come from a common cold or inflammation elsewhere. One isolated measurement therefore says little, context counts. Always discuss the result with your GP.
Why no single value is a prediction
It is tempting to think: my LDL is high, so I will have an infarction. It does not work that way. Blood values reflect probabilities and associations, not certainties. Two men with exactly the same profile can have a very different course, because genes, blood pressure, lifestyle and chance all play a part. That is why the NHG works with a risk estimate that combines several factors, and not with one threshold that determines whether you are "ill". A result is a tool to start the conversation, not a crystal ball.
What else counts?
Blood values are only one side. The Hartstichting names blood pressure, smoking, exercise, weight and family history as at least equally important factors. High blood pressure quietly eats away at your vessels for years without you noticing, and smoking accelerates that process considerably. My take: anyone who only stares at their cholesterol number while ignoring their blood pressure and smoking is looking at the wrong half of the picture.
What can you do yourself?
The good thing about cardiovascular risk is that many factors are influenceable. The Hartstichting and the Voedingscentrum point to stopping smoking, enough exercise, a fibre-rich diet with less saturated fat, and limiting alcohol and stress. No single measure gives a guarantee, but together they can favourably influence your risk profile. The difference between smoking and not smoking is often greater than any nutritional detail. What is appropriate in your situation, you discuss with your GP.
How does this connect to the rest?
Cholesterol, blood sugar and belly fat often travel together. See the pillar cholesterol in men and belly fat and your hormones. Erectile problems are also sometimes seen as an early vascular signal, see morning erections gone.
Getting started
The Cardiovascular Health panel brings several of these markers together. For a broad metabolic picture there is the Complete Metabolic Panel. At Caliberhealth, BIG-registered doctors assess your results in connection with the rest of your risk.
Frequently asked questions
Can a blood test predict a heart attack?
No. Blood values reflect associations and probabilities, not a prediction. They help your doctor estimate your risk, but do not determine whether or when something happens.
Which blood value is most important for my heart?
There is no single value that is decisive. LDL, triglycerides, blood sugar and inflammation markers such as hs-CRP all count together, alongside blood pressure and lifestyle.
I feel fine, is testing worthwhile then?
Cardiovascular risk often builds up without symptoms. Whether testing is worthwhile for you depends on your age, family history and risk factors, and you discuss it with your GP.
This article provides general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. A blood test is a tool, not a diagnosis in itself. With serious symptoms, contact your GP, or call emergency services in an emergency.
Author
Caliberhealth
Dr. Naimi, BIG-registered physician, oversees the medical standards behind our content and assessments. Read our medical policy
