A detailed heart and cholesterol test, near Cardiff
Far more than a standard cholesterol check. Fourteen markers including your full lipid profile plus ApoB, lipoprotein(a) and hs-CRP, the advanced markers that reveal risk a basic test misses. Self-refer at our Penarth or Cowbridge clinics near Cardiff.
The full picture of your heart risk.
What is included for £105
- ✓Blood draw at Penarth or Cowbridge, near Cardiff
- ✓Full lipid profile: total, LDL, HDL, triglycerides and ratios
- ✓Apolipoproteins A-I, B, CII, CIII and E, plus the ApoB/A-I ratio
- ✓Lipoprotein(a), small LDL and hs-CRP for hidden risk
- ✓Plain-English report with your results and reference ranges
- ✓Report emailed to you, easy to share with a clinician
The markers a basic check leaves out
A standard cholesterol test gives you four numbers. This one goes further, adding the apolipoproteins, lipoprotein(a) and an inflammation marker that modern cardiology uses to spot risk in people whose ordinary cholesterol looks fine. It is the difference between a snapshot and a proper picture.
Risk that hides in normal cholesterol
ApoB counts the actual particles that drive plaque, and lipoprotein(a) is a largely genetic risk many people never know they carry. Neither shows on a basic panel.
Answers by the next day
Results are usually back the next working day, with each marker set against its reference range and anything unusual flagged.
A doctor if you want one
Advanced lipid results reward interpretation. Book a private GP appointment and one of our doctors will explain what yours mean for you.
Worth checking if any of this applies
High cholesterol has no symptoms, so this test is about risk and history far more than how you feel.
This test measures risk factors; it does not diagnose heart disease. If you have chest pain, breathlessness or pain spreading to your arm or jaw, treat it as an emergency and call 999 rather than booking a blood test.
Fourteen markers of heart health
Your full lipid profile and cholesterol ratios, the apolipoproteins that carry them, and the advanced markers, lipoprotein(a) and hs-CRP, that modern cardiology relies on. Tap the group to see the detail.
Heart health 14
Your report lists every marker measured with its reference range.
Difficult veins? We find them with ultrasound
If you have fragile or hard-to-find veins and have had failed attempts before, our consultant radiologists can take the sample under real-time ultrasound. It is the only such service in South Wales, and patients travel to us from across Wales and the West for it.
Nobody had managed to take my blood in years without several attempts. Here it was done first time with the ultrasound. Such a relief.
Verified Google reviewFrom booking to answers, step by step
Book
Self-refer online or by phone. No GP letter needed. A morning slot suits this test best, since fasting is easier overnight.
Your appointment
The draw takes about 15 to 30 minutes. Tell us if you have difficult veins and we will use ultrasound.
Your report
A plain-English report with reference ranges, emailed to you, with anything out of range flagged. Usually the next working day.
Talk it through
Optional: book a private GP appointment to go through your results and plan any next steps.
Heart Health blood test
All inclusive. A detailed cardiovascular and cholesterol picture.
- ✓Blood draw at Penarth or Cowbridge
- ✓Full lipid profile plus apolipoproteins, Lp(a) and hs-CRP
- ✓Plain-English report with reference ranges, emailed to you
- ✓Ultrasound-guided draw available for difficult veins
A £50 booking deposit secures your slot and comes off the total.
Common questions about the heart health test
How much is the Heart Health blood test?
£105 all inclusive. That covers the blood draw, all fourteen markers, and a plain-English report emailed to you. A £50 deposit secures your appointment and comes off the total.
How is this different from a standard cholesterol test?
A standard test gives you total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides. This one adds the apolipoproteins (including ApoB, which counts the particles that actually cause plaque), lipoprotein(a), small LDL and high-sensitivity CRP. Together they give a far more complete view of cardiovascular risk, including risk that a basic panel can miss entirely.
Do I need to fast before the test?
Yes, we recommend fasting for 10 to 12 hours beforehand, with plain water only, because triglycerides in particular are affected by a recent meal. A morning appointment makes this easiest. Keep taking any regular medication as normal unless your own doctor has told you otherwise.
How quickly will I get my results?
Usually the next working day. Your report lists every marker with its reference range and flags anything out of range. We will confirm timing when you book.
What is ApoB, and why does it matter?
Apolipoprotein B is the protein carried on every particle that can lodge in an artery wall, so measuring it counts those particles directly rather than estimating them from cholesterol. Many cardiologists now regard it as one of the best single markers of cardiovascular risk, and it can be raised even when LDL cholesterol looks acceptable.
What is lipoprotein(a) and should I test it more than once?
Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is an inherited risk factor that is largely set by your genes and changes little through life. For most people a single measurement is enough to know whether they carry raised levels. It is worth knowing, because it is not addressed by the usual lifestyle and statin approach and may prompt a doctor to manage your other risks more actively.
Can this test tell me if I am having heart problems?
No. It measures risk factors in your blood, not the heart itself. Symptoms such as chest pain, breathlessness or palpitations need a different assessment, and if they are severe or sudden you should call 999. For heart rhythm, we also offer a private ECG.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. This is a self-refer test. Book online or call 029 2199 9300.
Where is the blood taken?
At our Penarth clinic (13 Washington Buildings, CF64 2AD) or our Cowbridge clinic (10 High Street, CF71 7AG). Both are a short drive from Cardiff with easy parking.
I have difficult veins. Can you still take blood?
Yes. Our consultant radiologists can take the sample under real-time ultrasound, the only such service in South Wales. Mention it when you book so we can allow time.
Want a doctor to explain the results?
Advanced lipid markers are far more useful with someone to interpret them. Book a private GP appointment and one of our doctors will talk you through your numbers and what they mean for your heart.
Book a GP appointmentTwo clinics, close to Cardiff
Penarth Clinic
13 Washington Buildings
Stanwell Road, Penarth
CF64 2AD
Mon to Thu 9:00 to 18:00
Fri 9:00 to 17:00
Sat 9:00 to 15:00
Cowbridge Clinic
Beauty Within
10 High Street, Cowbridge
CF71 7AG
By appointment. Please call for availability.
Get directionsPatients travel to us from Cardiff, Penarth, Cowbridge, Barry, Newport, Bridgend and across the Vale of Glamorgan.
Important: This test measures cardiovascular risk factors and does not diagnose heart disease or replace a clinical assessment. Results are most useful when reviewed by a doctor who knows your history, so we recommend discussing them with your own GP, or booking a private GP appointment with us, before acting on any finding or changing medication. If you have chest pain, breathlessness or other symptoms of a heart problem, seek urgent medical help. Lab values alone do not constitute medical advice.
See the whole picture of your heart risk.
Self-refer for the Heart Health blood test: a full lipid profile plus the advanced markers a basic check leaves out. £105 all inclusive at Penarth or Cowbridge, near Cardiff.