FAQ

What is Hertta?

Hertta is a blood-based test to determine the risk for severe and fatal heart attacks

What is the test based on?

CERT analysis consists of measuring four blood ceramide molecules. The test gives a risk score and a result sheet.

Who should do the Hertta-test?

Anyone who has family history of coronary artery disease or has traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease. The test is also suitable for patients with coronary artery disease and those on cholesterol-lowering medicines, for assessment of residual risk. The risk of coronary heart disease increases with age. The sooner the risk is identified, the better the risk may be treated. Hertta suits everyone who is interested in their heart health.

How to do the test?

Make a doctor’s appointment and request a referral for CERT testing. Or check if the test is available without doctor’s referral. Visit the laboratory for a blood sample. Results are provided within 5-10 days. Discuss the results with your doctor.

What is CERT or Hertta?

Hertta’s scientific name is CERT – Coronary Event Risk Test. At laboratories Hertta can be found under the CERT name. Laboratory abbreviation for the test is s-CERT, where s means the serum sample.

What’s the difference between the cholesterol test and the Hertta-test?

The cholesterol test measures blood levels of HDL- and LDL-cholesterol. Hertta measures different molecules that specifically indicate the risk of having a serious heart attack. Hertta is a particularly good indicator of the risk of a serious heart attack or cardiac death. Cholesterol levels may be normal and still the risk of having a heart attack may be elevated.

Why should I take Hertta?

Identify your elevated heart attack risk in time. Changing your lifestyle and diet can often reduce your risk of illness. The sooner the risk is detected the better the risk may be treated.

What should I do if my risk is high?

Discuss treatment options with your doctor. The doctor will evaluate the best possible care on a case-by-case basis. Changing your lifestyle and diet can often reduce your risk.

I’m using cholesterol-lowering medication, is it worth for me to do Hertta?

Even if cholesterol therapy is used, it is possible to still have a risk of heart attack. This is called residual risk. Hertta can be used to estimate the residual risk.

I have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease, what is the benefit of Hertta?

Hertta indicates whether a higher cardiac risk is associated with coronary heart disease. Cholesterol measurements do not differentiate this risk.

I have suffered myocardial infarction, what benefit Hertta brings to me?

With Herttat you can find out if you have an increased risk of getting a new myocardial infarction. The Hertta-test can also determine if there is still a high risk of heart attack despite the medication. This is called residual risk.

What’s the difference between a heart risk gene test and Hertta-test?

The Hertta test indicates your current health status and your life style habits. Hertta-risk levels can be modified by lifestyle changes and, if necessary, by medication. Genetic tests, on the other hand, reveal the inherited risk. Genetic tests do not tell you about your current health status or the effect of your lifestyle. The result of a gene test will not change even if you change your lifestyle. The genetic test gives you the same result regardless of the age at which you take the test.