Tests to keep a keen track of your heart health
Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Ragiinii Sharma
Written By Prekshi Garg
on Sep 7, 2022
Last Edit Made By Prekshi Garg
on Mar 17, 2024
As we can observe heart issues have become very common across the globe. In recent times, heart attacks have led to death of young and healthy individuals, with no associated symptoms, as well. The term heart diseases is an umbrella term for various heart related diseases and conditions like rheumatic heart disease, peripheral heart disease, cerebrovascular heart disease, and coronary heart disease. Heart related disorders have become quite common in India as well. In 2016, around 17.9 million people died due to cardiovascular diseases, which is actually 31% of the deaths occurring globally. In India, 27% deaths were due to cardiovascular diseases in 2016. The most number of cases in cardiovascular diseases were reported in the age group of 40-69 years. These numbers are expected to rise exponentially in the next 10 years. Proper monitoring of your heart health can help keep a check on heart health and diseases as well. Early diagnosis of any heart disease can aid in effective treatment of the disease as well.
With the expected rise in cases of cardiovascular diseases, it is very important that you are aware about the tests done to diagnose the health of your heart. In this article, we will discuss in detail about the various tests that can be done to monitor and assess your heart health.
Echocardiogram
- The test produces an image of your heart using sound waves.
- The test helps your doctor depict the beating of your heart and the movement of blood through your heart.
- Various abnormalities in the valves and muscles of your heart can be identified through an echocardiogram.
- The test can be done at the resting or active stage.
- The various causes for which your doctor might recommend you an echocardiogram test are:
- To diagnose the cause of heart murmur
- Monitor the functioning of the valves of your heart
- To evaluate the overall functioning of your heart.
Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)
- Detailed pictures of the arteries of your heart are obtained from the TEE test using high-frequency sound waves.
- An echo transducer is used for producing sound waves.
- The echo transducer is attached to a thin tube to pass through your mouth, throat, oesophagus, and upper chambers of your heart.
- The various causes for which a transesophageal echocardiography test can be done are:
- Monitor the functioning of the valves of your heart
- For diagnosis of diseases related to your heart valve
- To evaluate the presence of blood clots inside your heart
Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)
- The ECG measures the electrical activity of your heartbeat.
- It determines whether your electrical activity is normal, irregular, fast, or slow by measuring the time interval on the ECG.
- It also determines if any part of your heart is too large or overworked by measuring the electrical activity that passes through your heart muscles.
- The various causes for which an electrocardiogram is done are:
- To monitor changes if any occurring in your heart rhythm
- For the diagnosis of heart attack
Heart diseases are fatal and can lead to sudden death of an individual. Although maintaining good health is important to prevent heart diseases, in recent days we have seen healthy celebrities dying of heart attacks as well. This makes monitoring of heart health even more essential. Thus, it is advised that the people above 35 years of age must get their heart health evaluated at regular intervals. Early diagnosis of any heart disease can help in proper monitoring and treatment of the disease.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- The MRI test gives detailed pictures of the organs of your body using radiofrequency waves and magnetic fields.
- The images are used to examine the blood vessels of your heart and to identify the parts of your brain that are affected by stroke.
- The various reasons for which your doctor might recommend the MRI test are:
- To examine the structure of your heart
- To diagnose the presence of scar tissues within the muscle of your heart
- To determine the function of your heart valves.
CT Scan
- This technique uses a computer to develop cross-sectional images of your heart using an X-ray imaging technique.
- CT scan is also known as computerised axial tomography (CAT scan) or cardiac computed tomography.
- The test examines the blood vessels of your heart for any problems.
- The various reasons for which you can get a CT scan done include:
- To examine the structure of your heart
- To diagnose the presence of any blockages in the coronary artery.
- To identify if any blood vessel in your brain is affected by stroke.
Exercise cardiac stress test or exercise tolerance test (ETT)
- This test is done to check if the supply of blood in your heart is sufficient or not.
- The test also predicts the rhythm of your heart while you are exercising.
- Apart from heart rhythm, the test also predicts your heart activity, heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and the level of tiredness while you exercise.
- The ETT test can be done in combination with echocardiography and nuclear imaging as well.
- The various reasons for which your doctor might prescribe you the ETT test include:
- To assess the health of your heart
- To assess the safety level of exercises
- To diagnose the cause of shortness of breath, chest pain, and weakness.
- To identify the changes in your heart rhythm while you are exercising
- To find the cause of inadequate blood flow to your heart muscles while exercising,
Pharmacologic stress test
- In this test, certain medicines are injected into your arms through an IV to dilate your arteries, increase the blood flow, and increase your heart rate. This creates a similar effect as it is when you exercise.
- Pharmacologic stress tests can be done in combination with MRI, nuclear imaging, and echocardiography.
- The main causes of pharmacologic stress test are:
- To diagnose the underlying cause of weakness, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
- To diagnose the inadequate flow of blood to your heart muscles while you exercise.
- To assess whether you are at a risk of heart attack or not.
- To monitor the presence of any blockages in your coronary arteries.
Tilt test
- The test is generally done when you feel lightheaded or faint.
- The response of your heart rate and blood pressure to the gravitational force are assessed by making you lie down on a slightly upwards tilted table.
- Thus, your heart rate and blood pressure are recorded to keep a track on its changes during the test.
- The various causes for which you might get a tilt test done are:
- To evaluate the cause of your dizziness and fainting
- To identify the changes in your heart rhythm
Ambulatory rhythm monitoring test
- These tests are done to study the rhythm of your heart for a long time.
- The test is done on an outpatient basis, that is, you do not require to get admitted to the hospital.
- The major ambulatory rhythm monitoring tests include event recorders, holter monitoring, and mobile cardiac telemetry (MCT).
- The ambulatory rhythm monitoring test is generally recommended if the standard ECG test is not able to diagnose the problems associated with heart rhythm.
Coronary angiogram
- In this test, an X-ray is used to examine your coronary arteries that supply blood to your heart.
- In this test, a catheter is inserted into the blood vessel present in your groyne or arm and fed up to your coronary arteries and heart.
- The images of the coronary arteries are taken by injection of a special dye through the catheter.
- The most common reasons for which your doctor might recommend you a coronary angiogram test are:
- To evaluate the pressure inside your heart
- To identify presence of any blockages or narrowing in your coronary arteries
Myocardial perfusion scans
- These imaging scans check the flow of blood through your heart.
- The test uses a dye to highlight the blood vessels in your heart so that the clear images of your heart can be obtained.
- The test makes use of a large machine to scan your chest and then give images with the help of the dye.
- The scan can be done before and after you exercise.
Blood test and blood pressure
- Monitoring various parameters of your blood and blood pressure is also very essential for the diagnosis of heart diseases.
- The blood pressure is monitored by use of blood pressure units that have to be worn for 24 hours.
- Sometimes, blood tests are also advised to check the effect of medicines on your body.
Takeaway
Maintaining good heart health is very important. Heart related diseases are fatal and can even lead to the death of an individual. If diagnosed at an early stage, these diseases can be treated or managed efficiently. Thus, it is always advised that you get the health of your heart assessed at regular intervals. People who have a family history or have recently gained or lost weight suddenly, should be more vigilant in keeping a track. Now that you know the various tests available to monitor your heart health, and the parameters that are evaluated in each of these tests, make sure that you get them done whenever your doctor advises you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Which is the best test for the diagnosis of heart diseases?
Electrocardiogram or ECG is the best test for the diagnosis of heart diseases and related issues.
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Which test is used to detect clogged arteries?
A CT coronary angiogram is a test used for the detection of clogged arteries. It helps reveal plaque buildup and identify blockages in your arteries.
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What are the signs of an unhealthy heart?
The various symptoms of an unhealthy heart include:
- Chest discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat
- Left shoulder pain
- Swollen feet
- Heartburn
- Back or stomach pain