What they are: A range of tests used to assess the health and function of your heart, helping to diagnose conditions like heart rhythm issues, blockages, or muscle damage.
How they’re done:
Blood Tests: A simple procedure where a blood sample is drawn from your arm to check for indicators like cholesterol, blood sugar, or heart-specific proteins.
ECG (Electrocardiogram): Small, sticky patches (electrodes) are placed on your chest, arms, and legs to record the electrical signals of your heart. It’s quick and painless.
Echocardiogram (Echo): A gel is applied to your chest, and a handheld device (transducer) uses sound waves to create moving pictures of your heart’s chambers, valves, and blood flow.
Stress Test: Your heart is monitored (via ECG and blood pressure) while you exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike. If you can’t exercise, medication can simulate the effects. Some stress tests involve a radioactive tracer.
Cardiac CT/MRI: Advanced imaging techniques where you lie on a table that slides into a large scanner to get detailed pictures of your heart’s structure. Contrast dye may be injected to enhance visibility.
Angiogram (Cardiac Catheterization): A more invasive procedure where a long, thin tube (catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel (usually in the groin or wrist) and guided to your heart. Dye is injected, and X-ray images are taken to visualize any blockages or narrowing in the arteries.
Time: Varies greatly depending on the specific test, from 5-15 minutes for blood tests/ECG to several hours or even an overnight stay for an angiogram.
CT Scan (Computed Tomography Scan) / CT Angiogram (CTA)
What it is: A sophisticated X-ray technique that creates detailed cross-sectional (slice-like) images of internal body structures, including bones, organs, and soft tissues. A CT Angiogram specifically focuses on blood vessels, often using a contrast dye.
How it’s done: You lie on a comfortable table that slides into a large, doughnut-shaped machine (gantry). The machine rotates around you, taking multiple X-ray pictures. For a CTA, a special contrast material is injected into a vein, which helps blood vessels show up more clearly. You’ll need to lie very still and may be asked to hold your breath briefly.
Time: 10-60 minutes total, though the actual scanning time is often just a few minutes.