Blood Tests

Blood testing is routinely performed on people being evaluated for cardiomyopathy. Samples of blood are collected and used to evaluate basic function and conditions of the organs (including the heart) and rule out the possibility of other diseases causing the symptoms.

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Preparing for a blood test usually requires abstaining from food and all beverages with the exception of water for nine to 12 hours prior to the blood draw. Check with your healthcare provider for detailed instructions. During the procedure, blood samples are drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand using a thin, hollow needle.

Common blood tests used to diagnose and treat cardiomyopathy include:

• Complete blood cell count (CBC) measures the number of red and white blood cells, total amount of hemoglobin, fraction of blood consisting of red blood cells, and the size of the red blood cells, also known as mean corpuscular volume (MCV). The CBC is a screening test, used to diagnose many different diseases including those affecting fluid volume, anemia, blood loss, acute or chronic infection, allergies, and problems with clotting. Anemia, or a deficiency in the number of red blood cells, can affect the prognosis in a person with cardiomyopathy and studies are underway to determine if treating the anemia with iron and hormones improves survival.
• Lipid analysis may be performed to evaluate your general health and risk for coronary artery disease. Lipids are fatty substances that circulate in your bloodstream. Lipids include cholesterols and triglycerides. A lipid screen usually includes analysis of total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and very low-density lipoprotein. The ratio of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) is an indicator of the risk for developing plaque in your arteries. Ideally this ratio should be low--a low LDL coupled with a high HDL.
• Blood chemistries usually include a group of 20 chemical tests performed on blood serum, the portion of blood without cells, to assess the functions of the vital organs, in particular the kidneys, liver, and thyroid as well as the heart. In addition, coagulation studies to determine the amount of time for blood to clot, electrolyte levels, and many other parameters, depending on what the doctor finds in the physical exam and medical history, may also be analyzed.
• Cardiac enzymes including creatine phosphokinase isoenzymes, CK-MB, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes may be analyzed to identify potential damage to tissues of the body including the heart, lungs, skeletal system, or brain.
• Blood cultures may be analyzed to help identify any bacteria or other micro-organisms that may be infecting the heart.