Because there are many types of cardiac disease, each affecting different parts and functions of the cardiovascular system, we need a battery of heart tests to make an accurate diagnosis. Some tests, such as an echocardiogram, are used to identify abnormalities within the heart or blood vessels. Others, such as stress testing, aim to see how well the organs are performing with respect to your age, health, and personal characteristics.
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Overall Heart Health
The tests below are commonly used when there is a suspicion of cardiovascular disease. They are typically used to establish a baseline in people with no known cardiac disease. Over time—sometimes weeks, sometimes years—the tests can be repeated to see if there is any deterioration or improvement from the baseline function.
Some of the routine procedures include:
Coronary Artery Disease
These tests are commonly ordered when healthcare providers are suspicious ofcoronary artery disease (CAD). They are typically performed alongside an ECG and stress test to investigate the possible causes.
Certain patterns on an ECG, for example, indicate amyocardial infarction(heart attack). Similarly, stress tests can be used to help diagnoseangina.
When used in conjunction with other diagnostic tests, these technologies can help support a diagnosis and direct the course of treatment. Among them are:
Heart Rhythm Problems
These tests are commonly used to detect and diagnose heart rhythm disturbances known asarrhythmia. They can also be used to help determine the cause ofsyncope(fainting). Among them are:
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wallace ML, Ricco JA, Barrett B.Screening strategies for cardiovascular disease in asymptomatic adults.Prim Care. 2014;41(2):371–397. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2014.02.010National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Ischemic heart disease.Mubarik A, Iqbal AM.Holter monitor. StatPearls. Updated July 31, 2020.Muresan L, Cismaru G, Martins RP, et al.Recommendations for the use of electrophysiological study: Update 2018.Hellenic J Cardiol. 2019;60(2):82-100. doi:10.1016/j.hjc.2018.09.002Additional ReadingChou R.Cardiac screening with electrocardiography, stress echocardiography, or myocardial perfusion imaging: Advice for high-value care from the American College of Physicians.Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(6):438-47. doi:10.7326/M14-1225Moyer V. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.Summaries for patients. Screening for coronary heart disease with electrocardiography: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.Ann Intern Med. 2012;157(7):I-38. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-157-7-201210020-00514
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wallace ML, Ricco JA, Barrett B.Screening strategies for cardiovascular disease in asymptomatic adults.Prim Care. 2014;41(2):371–397. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2014.02.010National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Ischemic heart disease.Mubarik A, Iqbal AM.Holter monitor. StatPearls. Updated July 31, 2020.Muresan L, Cismaru G, Martins RP, et al.Recommendations for the use of electrophysiological study: Update 2018.Hellenic J Cardiol. 2019;60(2):82-100. doi:10.1016/j.hjc.2018.09.002Additional ReadingChou R.Cardiac screening with electrocardiography, stress echocardiography, or myocardial perfusion imaging: Advice for high-value care from the American College of Physicians.Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(6):438-47. doi:10.7326/M14-1225Moyer V. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.Summaries for patients. Screening for coronary heart disease with electrocardiography: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.Ann Intern Med. 2012;157(7):I-38. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-157-7-201210020-00514
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Wallace ML, Ricco JA, Barrett B.Screening strategies for cardiovascular disease in asymptomatic adults.Prim Care. 2014;41(2):371–397. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2014.02.010National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Ischemic heart disease.Mubarik A, Iqbal AM.Holter monitor. StatPearls. Updated July 31, 2020.Muresan L, Cismaru G, Martins RP, et al.Recommendations for the use of electrophysiological study: Update 2018.Hellenic J Cardiol. 2019;60(2):82-100. doi:10.1016/j.hjc.2018.09.002
Wallace ML, Ricco JA, Barrett B.Screening strategies for cardiovascular disease in asymptomatic adults.Prim Care. 2014;41(2):371–397. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2014.02.010
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Ischemic heart disease.
Mubarik A, Iqbal AM.Holter monitor. StatPearls. Updated July 31, 2020.
Muresan L, Cismaru G, Martins RP, et al.Recommendations for the use of electrophysiological study: Update 2018.Hellenic J Cardiol. 2019;60(2):82-100. doi:10.1016/j.hjc.2018.09.002
Chou R.Cardiac screening with electrocardiography, stress echocardiography, or myocardial perfusion imaging: Advice for high-value care from the American College of Physicians.Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(6):438-47. doi:10.7326/M14-1225Moyer V. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.Summaries for patients. Screening for coronary heart disease with electrocardiography: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.Ann Intern Med. 2012;157(7):I-38. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-157-7-201210020-00514
Chou R.Cardiac screening with electrocardiography, stress echocardiography, or myocardial perfusion imaging: Advice for high-value care from the American College of Physicians.Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(6):438-47. doi:10.7326/M14-1225
Moyer V. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.Summaries for patients. Screening for coronary heart disease with electrocardiography: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.Ann Intern Med. 2012;157(7):I-38. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-157-7-201210020-00514
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