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Maintaining good heart health is extremely important for everyone, but it is particularly crucial for those with a predisposition to cardiovascular disease. It is often an option to get a health checkup at a doctor’s office or clinic. However, at-home tests are becoming increasingly popular.
Quick links
- Best for treatment: LetsGetChecked Diabetes and Heart Test
- Best for a budget: Everlywell Heart Health Test
- Best for follow-up consultations: myLAB Box At Home Cholesterol and Lipids Test
At-home heart health tests measure different functions that may indicate how well a person’s cardiovascular system is functioning.
Most heart tests measure cholesterol levels and check for diabetes indicators.
Most at-home health tests operate in similar ways.
Once a person chooses a test, they make an online payment and await the delivery of the product.
When the package arrives, it will typically include all of the necessary instructions to take the required sample. Types of samples can include:
- Blood: A person will obtain this through a finger prick.
- Saliva: It is simple to collect this using a cotton swab.
- Urine: The instructions will usually ask a person to collect this in a sample pot.
The person then returns the sample in the prepaid packaging that the company usually provides. A lab will analyze the sample and provide the results.
Risk factors that put people at
- smoking
- having high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes
- having obesity
- consuming a nonnutritious diet
- having a family history of heart disease
- being male and aged over 45 years or female and aged over 55 years
A common part of at-home heart health tests involves checking a person’s cholesterol. There are two types of cholesterol — high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
Commonly, people refer to HDL cholesterol as “good” cholesterol and LDL cholesterol as “bad” cholesterol.
Doctors in the United States measure cholesterol in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl). The
| Total cholesterol | less than 200 mg/dl |
|---|---|
| HDL cholesterol | greater than or equal to 60 mg/dl |
| LDL cholesterol | less than 100 mg/dl |
Medical News Today chooses at-home tests that meet the following criteria:
- Laboratories: Where possible, MNT will choose companies that process test samples in labs with
Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certificates. This certification means that they follow state and federal regulations. - Budget: MNT chooses at-home tests that suit a wide range of budgets.
- Privacy: MNT includes companies that offer robust and transparent privacy measures, such as data protection and discreet packaging.
- Test result speed: MNT selects companies that inform customers when they will receive their test results and whether they will receive them via email, app, or phone.
- Further support: MNT will indicate whether a company offers further support, such as a follow-up phone consultation with a doctor to discuss the test results.
Here are some of the top heart health tests for people to consider.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Best for treatment: LetsGetChecked Diabetes and Heart Test
| Price | about $89 |
|---|---|
| Sample type | blood |
| Collection method | finger prick |
LetsGetChecked promises secure online results for its Diabetes and Heart Test within 5 days.
People can purchase the test with their flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA).
The test checks:
- cholesterol levels, including:
- HDL
- LDL
- total HDL percentage
- hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) percentage
- total triglycerides
The benefits of LetsGetChecked include free delivery and tracking, easy sample collection with video tutorials, and the use of a prepaid return shipping label.
If the test reveals that a person has a raised LDL cholesterol level, they can speak with a doctor or healthcare professional who can arrange treatment.
The downsides of the test include that it does not check particle sizes or distinguish between small and large LDL. This can lead to false-positive results, potentially leading a person to take cholesterol medication unnecessarily.
Best for a budget: Everlywell Heart Health Test
| Price | about $99 |
|---|---|
| Sample type | blood |
| Collection method | finger prick |
This Everlywell test measures:
- total cholesterol
- HDL
- LDL
- triglycerides
- high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), which can indicate inflammation
- HbA1c
The company accepts FSA and HSA payments and offers free shipping.
There is also the option to sign up for an Everlywell membership that provides a discount of up to 75%.
Best for follow-up consultations: myLAB Box At Home Cholesterol and Lipids Test
| Price | about $89 |
|---|---|
| Sample type | blood |
| Collection method | finger prick |
This test provides information about:
- total cholesterol
- triglycerides
- HDL
- LDL
- hs-CRP
- HbA1c
A person can benefit from a consultation with a doctor, which they can use to discuss their results and, if necessary, the potential treatment options.
Similar to the other brands, myLAB Box uses
Here is a quick look at how these tests compare.
| LetsGetChecked Diabetes and Heart Test | Everlywell Heart Health Test | myLAB Box At Home Cholesterol and Lipids Test | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | treatment options | a budget | follow-up consultations |
| Results time frame | 5 days | within days | 5 days |
| Price | about $89 | about $99 without a membership | about $89 |
All of the above companies accept FSA or HSA payments, offer free shipping, and require the user to collect their blood via a finger prick.
None of the products test for small-sized LDL.
Anyone who is concerned about their heart health should contact a doctor to discuss their symptoms. Getting treatment early can improve the chances of successful treatment.
Certain changes to day-to-day routines, such as adopting a low carbohydrate, keto, or paleo diet, may lead to an
A
Here, we answer some common questions about at-home heart health tests.
What signs may indicate a problem with the heart?
The signs and symptoms of a heart that is not in good health include:
- palpitations
- shortness of breath
- fatigue
- swelling of the neck, abdomen, and lower body
- high blood pressure
- high blood cholesterol
People who smoke or have a high body mass index (BMI) have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular health issues.
How can I test my heart health at home?
Most available at-home heart tests include devices, such as lancets or sample pots, that individuals can use to collect a sample. Customers can then package the sample — typically in a prepaid envelope — and post it to the company’s lab test for testing. The results are generally secure and available within days.
Are at-home heart tests reliable?
Most at-home heart tests do not check for or differentiate between small and large LDL particles, which may result in false-positive results.
However, they can provide a limited insight into overall heart health that could encourage a person to start a conversation with a doctor about beneficial lifestyle adjustments.
At-home tests should never replace direct care or in-person visits with a healthcare team.
Using an at-home health test may work well for those who find it difficult to get to the doctor’s office. Most available tests are quite similar, providing information about total and LDL cholesterol levels and blood glucose.
The tests do not typically differentiate between small- and large-sized LDL. This may produce a false-positive result, potentially leading to incorrect treatment.
Individuals should consider discussing their results and any advice from the company’s medical team with a primary care physician or cardiologist.