Essential 5: Blood tests and stress test

What is tested with the Essential 5 Health Test and why?

The Essential 5 Health Test is a general blood test that examines biomarkers that say something about your risk of cardiovascular disease. Consider, for example, cholesterol (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, the ratios), and hs-CRP (inflammatory value). To estimate your risk of diabetes, we also look at the HbA1c in the blood, which gives an idea of your blood sugar levels over a period of several months, and at the glucose in your urine. We also look at your kidney function. Creatinine and eGFR are markers that indicate whether your kidneys are functioning properly. Lastly, the test includes an online questionnaire designed to assess your risk of burnout. 

About cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular disease involves narrowing of the vessels, which occurs when plaques accumulate over a longer period. We call this arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis. Because the vessels become narrowed, less blood and oxygen flows to the tissues and organs. This can manifest in a variety of symptoms. 

Risk factors contributing to cardiovascular disease:

• Hereditary predisposition 
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• Underlying diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic kidney injury
• Obesity and little exercise
• Unhealthy eating and drinking
• Age and gender: men have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, also with age the risk of cardiovascular disease increases
• Descent: people with Turkish, African (Sub-Saharan), Hindu, Asian-Surinamese or Caribbean descent are more likely to have cardiovascular diseases

Symptoms that may indicate arteriosclerosis: 

• Poorly healing wounds on the legs or feet.
• Leg pain on exertion, such as walking or cycling. The pain subsides the moment rest is taken. This is called etalage legs.
• An oppressive feeling in the chest and tightness on exertion or emotion, which subsides on taking rest. There are often accompanying symptoms such as radiation to the jaws and nausea. This phenomenon is called stable angina or heart spasm. If these symptoms occur without triggering factors, that is, without exertion or emotion, it is unstable angina pectoris and 112 should be called immediately.