Published: 2 Apr 2024

Reworded and Reformatted Text:

Blood Tests

Blood tests are commonly used to:

* Monitor your health during illness, injury, or infection.
* Check for inflammation, infections, and drug reactions.
* Assess your risk of heart disease, circulatory disease, and diabetes.
* Manage existing conditions.
* Diagnose heart attack (troponin test) or heart failure (BNP test).
* Monitor warfarin therapy (INR test).

Procedure:

* A small blood sample is typically drawn from a vein in your elbow or wrist.
* The sample is collected in vials labeled with your personal information and the type of test ordered.
* Chemicals may be added to the vials to prevent blood clotting.
* The vials are then analyzed in a laboratory.

Interpretation of Results:

* Abnormal results may indicate a health issue that requires further investigation or treatment.
* Your doctor will review the results and discuss them with you, providing an explanation and any necessary recommendations.

Important Considerations:

* If your blood test results are higher than recommended, you may need a full blood test at a hospital.
* Blood tests can cause anxiety in some people. Children may be given a topical anesthetic cream to minimize discomfort.
* If you have any questions or concerns regarding your blood test results, don't hesitate to consult with your doctor.