Blue Horizon Medicals Heart & cholesterol

PLAC test

The PLAC test measures Lp-PLA2, an enzyme linked to the build-up of plaque in artery walls. It suits people who want an extra marker of cardiovascular risk alongside standard cholesterol testing.

  • Doctor reviewed
Sample
Blood
Collection
Venous draw at clinic or nurse home visit
Results in
5 days
Biomarkers
1
Doctor reviewed
Yes
Tests for
  • PLAC Test ( Lp-PLA2)

Test specifications

Provider
Blue Horizon Medicals
Sample type
blood
Collection method
venous draw at clinic or nurse home visit
Turnaround time
5 days
Biomarkers tested
1
At-home test
No
Doctor reviewed
Yes
Gender focus
Both

What's tested

1 biomarker as listed by Blue Horizon Medicals.

  • PLAC Test ( Lp-PLA2)

About this test

The PLAC test checks Lp-PLA2 activity, an enzyme that has been studied as a marker of vascular inflammation and the build-up of plaque in the arteries. It is used alongside other markers to help build a picture of cardiovascular risk, rather than as a stand-alone measure of heart health.

It scores well on value for money, because £101.25 sits below the median price we see across similarly sized heart health tests. It also does well for clarity, since the listing sets out the biomarker, turnaround and collection options clearly, though it does not describe what the results report looks like. Where it loses ground is on collection convenience, because it requires a venous blood draw at a clinic or a home nurse visit rather than an at-home finger-prick, and on clinical depth, since a single biomarker sits toward the lower end of the heart-health tests we track.

Results are reviewed by a doctor, which is reflected in a solid results and follow-up score, and turnaround is 5 days. Blue Horizon Medicals works with UKAS ISO 15189 partner labs and has traded since 2009.

Who is it for?

This suits people already having their cholesterol checked who want an additional marker of vascular risk, or who have been advised to keep an eye on cardiovascular disease risk beyond standard lipids. Because it only measures one marker, it works best as an add-on to a broader heart and cholesterol panel rather than your only heart health check.

There are no directly comparable single-marker Lp-PLA2 tests from other providers in our data, so we cannot say whether a cheaper or broader alternative exists. If you want wider cardiovascular screening in one test, look at a fuller heart and cholesterol panel instead of this single-marker option.

How it works

This is a blood test taken by venous draw, either at a clinic or with a nurse home visit; there is no at-home finger-prick option. Once the sample reaches the lab it is analysed for Lp-PLA2 activity, with results back within 5 days and reviewed by a doctor before you receive them.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Doctor reviews your Lp-PLA2 result before you get it.
  • Priced below the median we see across similar heart health tests.
  • Fast turnaround at 5 days.
  • Nurse home visit offered if you cannot get to a clinic.

Cons

  • Requires a venous blood draw; no at-home finger-prick option.
  • Measures only one marker, so it is not a full cardiovascular picture.
  • Listing does not describe what the results report looks like.

Our editorial score

Compare Health Test Score Single-marker vascular risk add-on, doctor reviewed
Editorial confidence: 10.0/10

This is a single-marker blood test for Lp-PLA2, an enzyme used to help gauge the risk of thickened arteries and cardiovascular disease. At £101.25 it has no directly comparable named peers in our data, so it works best as an add-on to a broader heart panel rather than a standalone check. Results come back in 5 days and are reviewed by a doctor.

Score breakdown

  • Clarity and documentation 8.0/10

    The listing publishes a short description, the full biomarker list, a stated turnaround, clear collection options, the sample type; it does not state what the report looks like.

  • Clinical depth 5.7/10

    1 biomarkers, placing it in the 20th percentile of heart health tests we track.

  • Collection convenience 8.0/10

    A blood sample taken at home by a visiting nurse or phlebotomist; with a venous or clinic option as well; a home nurse visit is offered; results in around 5 days, slower than similar tests.

  • Results and follow-up 7.0/10

    Results are reviewed by a doctor; the provider does not describe the report format.

  • Trust signals 7.5/10

    Trustpilot 4.2 from 395 reviews; accredited lab (UKAS ISO 15189 partner labs); trading 17+ years.

  • Value for money 7.5/10

    £101.25 against a median of £125.00 for the 27 similarly sized heart health tests we track (-19%).

Calculated 13 September 2026 from the facts we hold about this test and provider, using our published scoring formula. Scores are not hand-edited.

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