5 Medical Tests for Diagnosing Heart Disease You Should Know
Heart disease tests explained: echocardiography, ECG, tilt table test, cardiac catheterization and cardiac MRI, and what each one tells the doctor.
Heart disease, nicknamed the silent killer, often strikes without any warning symptoms. Some people do notice symptoms or signs of a heart problem, though. If you have complaints related to your heart, you can visit a heart specialist right away. A cardiologist will carry out a range of tests like the ones below.
Procedures a Doctor Will Perform for Heart Problems
- Echocardiography
Even if you know you should see a doctor when your heart hurts, the condition can't be taken lightly. There are many kinds of heart disease, with causes and treatments that differ significantly. That is why a series of further tests is needed before the doctor can make an accurate diagnosis.
First, the doctor will give the patient a physical examination. This is followed by questions about family medical history and any illnesses the patient has had. The results of this assessment determine which heart tests follow.
One test that has to be done is echocardiography, which uses sound waves (ultrasound) on the heart. This test evaluates the condition of the heart muscle and valves. The heart specialist moves a transducer over the chest, and the images can be seen on a monitor.
- Electrocardiography (ECG)
This test records the electrical signals of the patient's heart. Its purpose is to detect abnormalities in the structure of the heart as well as in the heart rhythm. The procedure is done by attaching 12 to 15 electrodes to the patient's body.
- Tilt Table Test
If a patient's symptoms go as far as fainting, the doctor will perform a tilt table test. The procedure is done in a special way: the patient lies on a table, and the table is then moved horizontally and vertically. The test is done to identify whether the patient faints because of heart disease or another condition.
Also read What You Need to Know About Coronary Heart Disease
- Cardiac Catheterization
Catheterization is done by inserting a small tube (a catheter) through a blood vessel. The procedure is performed on a blood vessel in the thigh or arm. The doctor guides the inserted catheter toward the heart with the help of X-ray imaging.
- Cardiac MRI
A cardiac MRI is recommended by doctors for patients whose symptoms are quite intense. The patient is placed inside an MRI machine for the exam. During the test, the magnetic field of the MRI shows the inside of the patient's body in full. The heart specialist then analyzes the images to determine the type of disease.
To understand the heart disease diagnosis procedures more clearly, you can discuss them directly with the specialists at Heartology. Ask clearly about the procedures, whether before, during or after the test. If needed, ask about side effects too.
Also read What to Watch for After Heart Surgery
