Original Medicare (Parts A & B): Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Screenings

For those who don’t currently have cardiovascular disease, it is important to periodically assess cardiovascular status to ensure that prevention efforts are working and to identify potential problems early, when they’re still reversible.  Blood tests for the detection of cardiovascular disease should be completed once every 5 years.

Indicators of cardiovascular disease are often not detectable until a problem already exists. As we age, we should not assume that we have good cardiovascular health simply because we aren’t experiencing symptoms.  Blood tests for the detection of cardiovascular disease, or abnormalities associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, are invaluable in the fight against it (or management of it). These blood tests include cholesterol, lipid, and triglyceride levels that help detect conditions that may lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Additionally, a blood test called high-sensitivity CRP helps determine the risk of heart disease before symptoms are present.  Higher levels are associated with a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular disease.  This test is typically done twice, two weeks apart, because increased levels can be temporary (associated with things like a cold or strenuous activity). Other blood tests may include lipoprotein (a), plasma ceramides, brain natriuretic peptides (BNP and N-terminal BNP), and troponin T.

Ask the primary care provider about CVD blood tests (and see the Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction Visit benefit for additional coverage).