Heart disease is any condition that affects your heart, such as coronary artery disease and arrhythmia. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, heart disease is responsible for 1 in 4 four deaths in the United States each year. It’s a leading cause of death in both men and women.
To diagnose heart disease, your doctor will perform a series of tests and evaluations. They may also use some of these tests to screen you for heart disease before you develop noticeable symptoms.
*Fainting *Slow or fast heartbeat *Chest tightness *Chest pain *Shortness of breath *Sudden swelling in your legs, feet, ankles, or abdomen
If you have any of these symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment can help lower your risk of complications, like heart attack or stroke.
Noninvasive tests for heart disease :
After completing a physical examination and blood tests, your doctor may order additional noninvasive tests. Noninvasive means the tests don’t involve tools that break the skin or physically enter the body. There are many noninvasive tests available to help your doctor check for heart disease.
Electrocardiogram:
An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a short test that monitors the electrical activity in your heart. It records this activity on a strip of paper. Your doctor may use this test to check for an irregular heartbeat or heart damage.
Echocardiogram:
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of your heart. It uses sound waves to create a picture of your heart. Your doctor may use it to evaluate your heart valves and heart muscles.
Stress test:
To diagnose heart problems, your doctor may need to examine you while you’re doing strenuous activity. During a stress test, they may ask you to ride a stationary bike or walk or run on a treadmill for several minutes. They’ll monitor your body’s reaction to stress as your heart rate increases.
A carotid duplex scan uses sound waves to create pictures of your carotid arteries on both sides of your neck. It allows your doctor to check for a buildup of plaque in your arteries and assess your risk of stroke.
Holter monitor:
If your doctor needs to monitor your heart over a period 24 to 48 hours, they’ll ask you to wear a device called a Holter monitor. This small machine works like a continuous EKG. Your doctor can use it to check for heart abnormalities that can go undetected on a normal EKG, such as arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats. Chest X-ray
A chest X-ray uses a small amount of radiation to create images of your chest, including your heart. It can help your doctor determine the cause of shortness of breath or chest pains.
Tilt table test:
Your doctor may perform a tilt table test if you’ve fainted. They’ll ask you to lie on a table that moves from a horizontal to a vertical position. As the table moves, they’ll monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen level. The results can help your doctor determine whether your fainting was caused by heart disease or another condition.
CT scan:
A CT scan uses multiple X-ray images to create a cross-sectional image of your heart. Your doctor may use different types of CT scans to diagnose heart disease. For example, they may use a calcium score screening heart scan to check for calcium deposits in your coronary arteries. Or they may use coronary CT angiography to check for fat or calcium deposits in your arteries.
Heart MRI:
In an MRI, large magnets and radio waves create images of the inside of your body. During a heart MRI, a technician creates images of your blood vessels and heart while it’s beating. After the test, your doctor can use the images to diagnose many conditions, such as heart muscle diseases and coronary artery disease.
If you suspect you may have heart disease, make an appointment with your doctor. Factors that put you at a higher risk for heart disease include:
*Family history of heart disease *History of smoking *Obesity *Poor diet *Age
Your doctor may perform a physical examination, order blood tests, or use other tests to check for problems with your heart or blood vessels. These tests can help them diagnose heart disease and develop a treatment plan.
Complications of heart disease include heart attack and stroke. You can reduce the risk of complications with early diagnosis and treatment. Talk with your doctor if you have any concerns. They’ll teach you how to identify symptoms of heart disease and maintain a healthy heart.
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