Tests and Diagnosis

  • Examination: Heart rate, blood pressure, physical exam
  • EKG: Used to evaluate heart rhythm, poor blood flow, or abnormal heart
  • Chest X-Ray: Provides a closer look at the bones, heart, and lungs in the chest ; locate pacemakers, defibrillators, catheters, or chest tubes
  • Stress Test: Evaluate heart rate and blood pressure while walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bike
  • Tilt Table Test: Monitor blood pressure, electrical heart impulses, and oxygen level while lying tilted on a table
  • Echocardiogram: Assess the overall functioning of the heart
  • Cardiac Catheterization: Evaluates the presence of heart disease to determine treatment by inserting a catheter into a blood vessel into the arm or leg. X-rays of your valves, coronary arteries, and heart chambers become visible by injecting dye into the catheter.
  • Electrophysiology Test: Electrical impulses delivered through a catheter to increase your heart rate for the purpose of determining causes, origin, and treatment of abnormal heart rhythm
  • CT Heart Scan: Heart-imaging test which may use dye intravenously to look at heart anatomy, coronary circulation, the aorta, pulmonary veins, or arteries
  • Myocardial Biopsy: Removing a small piece of heart muscle tissue to evaluate a heart transplant or diagnose inflammation of the heart
  • Heart MRI: A technique using magnets and radio-frequency waves to obtain pictures of the heart beating as it goes through the pumping cycle
  • Pericardiocentesis: Removal of fluid from the sac around the heart through the use of a needle and catheter; used to detect cancer or relieve unhealthy pressure on the heart as a result of excess fluid surrounding the heart  muscle

Prevention
Symptoms Heart Disease
Occurrence
Causes
Preparation for Medical Appointment
Support from Health Care Providers
Cultural Attitudes about Heart Health
Psychological Implications
Career/Employment
Tests and Diagnosis
Treatment with Prescription Drugs
Surgical Procedures
Complications
Risk Factors and Warnings
Coping and Support
Resources