An important aspect of diagnosing and treating heart disease is the physical exam. This exam helps your doctor determine what type of follow-up tests or procedures are necessary to fully diagnose your condition. These additional tests fall into the following categories:
Electrocardiographic tests evaluate the heart's electrical activity when the patient is at rest and active.
Laboratory tests include a number of blood tests used to diagnose and monitor treatment for heart disease.
Nuclear imaging produces images that measure the radiation emanating from different parts of the body after the patient has received an injection of a radioactive tracer material.
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create graphic images of the heart's individual structures, its pumping action, and the direction of its blood flow.
Radiological imaging uses X-ray machines, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to photograph the internal structures of the chest.
Invasive tests involve inserting catheters into the blood vessels of the heart to get a closer look at the coronary arteries or to stimulate and test the electrical system of the heart.
U.S. News's featured content providers were not involved in the selection of advertisers appearing on this website, and the placement of such advertisement in no way implies that these content providers endorse the products and services advertised. Disclaimer and a note about your health.
