Bluecrest Wellness Heart & cholesterol

PLAC Activity

Measures Lp-PLA2, an enzyme linked to arterial plaque build-up, used alongside other markers to help assess heart attack and stroke risk.

Sample
Blood
Collection
Venous draw at local venue
Results in
3–8 days
Biomarkers
1
Doctor reviewed
No
Tests for
  • Lp-PLA2 (PLAC activity)

Test specifications

Provider
Bluecrest Wellness
Sample type
blood
Collection method
venous draw at local venue
Turnaround time
3–8 days
Biomarkers tested
1
At-home test
No
Doctor reviewed
No
Gender focus
Both

What's tested

1 biomarker as listed by Bluecrest Wellness.

  • Lp-PLA2 (PLAC activity)

About this test

The PLAC Activity test measures Lp-PLA2, an enzyme that acts as a marker of inflammation in the blood vessels and is linked to plaque build-up in the arteries. Bluecrest positions it as a complement to standard cholesterol and blood pressure checks, providing a different angle on cardiovascular risk rather than replacing those tests.

As a single-marker test, it sits in the 20th percentile for clinical depth among the heart health tests we track, similar to Bluecrest's other single-marker heart tests such as the ECG and peripheral arterial disease check. Price is close to the middle of that category: at £119, it is about 5% below the £125 median for the 27 similarly sized heart tests in our data.

Clarity scores well, with a detailed description, the marker named, sample type and turnaround all stated. Results and follow-up score lower because, like most of Bluecrest's individual tests, there is no doctor review included as standard.

Who is it for?

This suits you if you already track standard cholesterol and blood pressure and want an additional marker of arterial inflammation, particularly if you have risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking or a family history of heart disease. On its own, it gives a narrower picture than a full lipid panel, so consider pairing it with a cholesterol test if you haven't had one recently. If you have symptoms such as chest pain, seek medical attention rather than waiting for test results.

How it works

This is a blood test collected by venous draw at a local Bluecrest venue. Once processed, results are typically returned in around 3 to 8 days. There is no doctor review included as standard, so you receive the report directly.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Adds a distinct marker of arterial inflammation alongside standard cholesterol and blood pressure checks.
  • Priced close to the £125 median for the heart health tests we track.
  • Listing publishes a detailed description, the marker named and a stated turnaround.

Cons

  • Measures a single marker; does not include cholesterol or blood pressure readings itself.
  • No doctor review is included as standard.
  • Overlaps with other individual Bluecrest heart tests, such as Lipoprotein(a), which can be bought separately.

Our editorial score

Compare Health Test Score Priced close to the average for single-marker heart tests
Editorial confidence: 10.0/10

This £119 test measures Lp-PLA2, an enzyme linked to arterial plaque, and is priced almost exactly at the £125 median for the heart health tests we track, about 5% below. It's a single-marker test intended to sit alongside cholesterol and blood pressure checks rather than replace them, and there is no doctor review as standard.

Score breakdown

  • Clarity and documentation 9.0/10

    The listing publishes a detailed 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 3.0/10

    Requires a venous draw at a clinic; results in around 8 days, slower than similar tests.

  • Results and follow-up 3.0/10

    Results are not doctor-reviewed and no consultation is included; the provider does not describe the report format.

  • Trust signals 9.5/10

    Trustpilot 4.7 from 6,787 reviews; accredited lab (UKAS ISO 15189 own lab); CQC registered; trading 14+ years.

  • Value for money 6.7/10

    £119.00 against a median of £125.00 for the 27 similarly sized heart health tests we track (-5%).

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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