A blood test is when a sample of your blood is taken for testing in a laboratory. A urine test checks different components of urine, a waste product made by the kidneys.
What is a blood test?
A blood test is when a sample of your blood is taken for testing in a laboratory. Your blood offers many clues about your heart health. Depending upon what your doctor is looking for, the following may be tested:
- How smoothly your blood flows through your vessels
- The time it takes for your blood to clot, as well as the level of a clotting component called fibrinogen
- Your blood cholesterol levels
- Your blood sugar (glucose) level
- Your blood calcium levels
It is important to know that although blood tests can indicate your risk of having heart disease or other health conditions, often other confirmatory tests are needed to diagnose specific diseases.
What is involved in a blood test?
No special preparation is needed. Blood is drawn from a vein in one arm. During this procedure:
- Your arm is first cleaned with an antiseptic
- An elastic band or blood pressure cuff is placed around the upper arm, which causes the veins in the lower arm to fill with blood
- A needle is inserted into the vein and the blood is collected in a vial or syringe
- Once blood is taken, the needle is removed and a bandage is applied
What is a urine test?
A urine test checks different components of urine, a waste product made by the kidneys. Although it isn't always possible at the time of your initial examination, a urine test can help your doctor diagnose conditions related to stroke including blood clots, kidney disease, diabetes and other metabolic diseases.
What is involved in a urine test?
You will be given a container to collect a sample. Try to collect your sample "midstream." Midstream is a way of collecting a urine (pee) sample that is free of most germs normally on the skin. As you start to urinate, allow a small amount to fall into the toilet bowl. Then, catch about 1 to 2 ounces (30 to 60 mL) and remove the container from the urine stream.
Resources
The following resources have more information on the blood test and urine test: