Coronary Heart Disease Diagnosis: The Tests Patients Go Through
Coronary heart disease diagnosis starts with an ECG, chest X-ray, CT or MRI scan and a stress test. Learn what each shows before a cardiac intervention.
Coronary heart disease is a common cardiovascular condition, and it usually develops from an unhealthy lifestyle. Doctors need to run a thorough examination to understand the patient's health. Only then can a cardiac intervention be carried out safely. So how is the condition diagnosed? Here is a rundown.
Methods for Checking Heart Health
- Electrocardiography (ECG)
An ECG records the electrical activity inside the patient's heart. The doctor can tell whether the patient has had a heart attack before. An ECG also helps medical staff determine whether the patient's heart rhythm and heartbeat are normal.
In some cases, the doctor will recommend a Holter monitor. This technique differs slightly from a standard ECG because it can record the patient's heart rhythm for 24 hours. The device is small and hangs on the chest. That way, the patient can still go about normal activities.
- Chest X-ray
A chest X-ray is needed to see the condition of the heart, lungs and blood vessels. From the image, the doctor can tell whether any of these organs is swollen. The doctor can also see directly whether anything is wrong with the other organs in the chest cavity.
- CT Scan and MRI Scan
Other tests the doctor needs to run before a cardiac intervention are a CT scan or an MRI scan. Both imaging tests show the heart in more detail, and the visuals are far clearer than on an X-ray. These tests can also be used to see calcium buildup in the blood vessels.
This calcium buildup can trigger coronary heart disease. It blocks blood flow in the patient's body. As a result, oxygen and nutrients cannot circulate properly throughout the body. If it is not treated promptly, coronary heart disease can even cause a sudden heart attack.
- Stress Test
Sometimes the symptoms of heart disease are felt only while the patient is active. When that happens, the doctor will recommend what is called a stress test. The test measures how the patient's heart works during normal daily activities.
In a stress test, the patient is asked to pedal a stationary bike or walk on a treadmill while an ECG is performed at the same time. That way, the doctor can see how the heart works while the patient is active. The doctor then assesses whether a cardiac intervention can be done.
That is a short explanation of the coronary heart disease diagnosis doctors usually carry out. The information gained is very important because it describes the patient's health status in detail. Once the condition is known precisely, the doctor can take more appropriate action.
Read also: Understanding How Heart Failure Develops
