What tests might I have for heart disease?
What tests might I have for heart disease?
Some common tests to diagnose cardiovascular disease include:
- Blood work measures substances in blood that indicate cardiovascular health, such as cholesterol and specific proteins.
- Electrocardiogram (EKG) records the electrical activity in your heart.
- Ambulatory monitoring uses wearable devices that track your heart rhythm and rates.
- Echocardiogram uses sound waves to create an image of your heartbeat and blood flow.
- Cardiac CT uses X-rays to create images of your heart and blood vessels.
- Cardiac MRI uses magnets and radio waves to create images of your heart.
- Stress tests use different ways to stress the heart in a controlled way (exercise or medications) to determine how your heart responds through EKGs and/or images.
- Cardiac catheterization uses a catheter (thin, hollow tube) to measure pressure and blood flow in your heart.