Tests & Diagnosis

Cardiovascular Tests & Diagnosis

Understanding your heart health starts with the right tests. At CardioFacts, we explain the most common cardiovascular diagnostic tools — how they work, when they’re used, and what they reveal about your heart.

🩺 Common Cardiovascular Diagnostic Tests

🔹 Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

A non-invasive test that records the electrical activity of the heart. It helps detect arrhythmias, ischemia, and previous myocardial infarctions.

Used for: Chest pain, palpitations, fainting, screening.

🔹 Echocardiogram

An ultrasound of the heart that visualizes heart structure and function. It helps assess valves, chambers, and ejection fraction.

Used for: Murmurs, shortness of breath, heart failure, valve disease.

🔹 Stress Test (Exercise ECG or Imaging Stress Test)

Evaluates how your heart performs under physical stress. It can be performed with a treadmill or medication.

Used for: Suspected coronary artery disease, assessing prognosis.

🔹 Holter Monitor & Event Recorder

Portable devices that record ECG over 24–72 hours or more to detect intermittent arrhythmias.

Used for: Palpitations, syncope, unexplained dizziness.

🔹 Cardiac CT and Calcium Score

High-resolution imaging to detect coronary artery calcium and anatomical abnormalities.

Used for: Risk stratification, early detection of coronary disease.

🔹 Cardiac MRI

Provides detailed images of heart muscle, scarring, or inflammation without radiation.

Used for: Myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease.

🔹 Coronary Angiography

An invasive test using contrast and X-ray to visualize coronary arteries in real time.

Used for: Acute coronary syndrome, severe angina, planning revascularization.

🧪 Blood Tests

  • Troponin: Indicates myocardial injury.
  • BNP/NT-proBNP: Marker of heart failure.
  • Lipid profile: Evaluates cholesterol levels.
  • CRP hs: Inflammation marker for cardiovascular risk.

✅ Summary

Timely and accurate diagnosis is essential to prevent serious complications. These tests, interpreted by experienced cardiologists, guide life-saving decisions.

📘 Disclaimer: The information on this site is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a cardiologist for personalized guidance.