Cardiovascular Diagnostic Tools and Tests

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a simple test that uses temporary skin-attached electrode patches to assess the electrical activity of the heart while it is at rest.

A cardiologist can use the data obtained from an ECG, which contains details about a person's heart rate and rhythm, to determine:

1. 1. Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
2. 2. The presence of narrowed or obstructed arteries in the heart, which may lead to chest pain or heart attack
3. 3. If a patient has previously experienced a heart attack
4. 4. How a patient responds to certain heart disease treatments

Resting ECG

A resting ECG is an ECG test that measures the electrical current produced by the heart by attaching electrode patches to the legs, arms and chest of a patient. The test typically takes 5 to 10 minutes.

As electrical impulses produced by muscle movements could interfere with those produced by the heart, patients are required to remain still throughout the test.

Ambulatory ECG

An ambulatory ECG is performed through the use of a portable machine known as a Holter monitor, which is connected to electrodes. This particular type of ECG is performed to provide information on the heart's electrical activity over the course of 24 hours or more.

The Holter monitor is a compact, wearable electronic gadget that is used to evaluate cardiac rhythm, typically following an ECG. This helps cardiologists obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the rhythm and condition of the heart.

If you exhibit arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) symptoms, experience unexplained fainting, or suffer from a heart condition that raises your risk of arrhythmias, a cardiologist may advise using a Holter monitor.

An echocardiogram, also known as an echo test, uses ultrasound (sound waves) to examine the mechanical and structural function of the heart.

An echocardiogram visualises the heartbeat and displays the efficiency of the heart in pumping blood.

Your doctor might advise getting an echocardiogram to check the chambers and valves of your heart for any abnormalities or congenital heart defects pre-birth.

Note: Electrocardiograms (ECG) and echocardiograms are not the same. An ECG is a test that assesses your heart's rhythm and electrical activity.

A stress test allows a cardiologist to examine how the heart responds to medicines or increased physical activity (exercise).

In a stress test, the subject is required to walk or cycle on a stationary bike for a predetermined period, or until they get tired.

A cardiologist would typically advise a cardiac stress test to find out how well your heart can manage stress or if you exhibit signs of coronary artery disease or an abnormal heartbeat.

The aim of a stress test is therefore different from that of a resting ECG, which measures a person's heart activity while they are at rest.

It can also indicate if there is a reduction in the supply of blood to the arteries of the heart. This assists cardiologists in determining the exercise intensity that is safe and suitable for a patient.

A nuclear cardiac stress test evaluates the myocardial blood flow as well as the heart's contractility both at rest and during exercise.

This procedure involves the injection of a tiny amount of radioactive tracer into a vein to allow images of the heart to be captured.

If you exhibit heart disease symptoms, your cardiologist may suggest a nuclear stress test to provide a coronary artery disease diagnosis or design an effective treatment strategy.

A coronary angiogram might be carried out if a patient has suffered a heart attack or angina, to help doctors in identifying the location and amount of obstructed coronary arteries.

A TEE involves the insertion of an ultrasonic transducer into the oesophagus to capture pictures of the heart. A TEE helps in the diagnosis of conditions like cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease and heart valve disease.

A TEE may be conducted by your cardiologist if you are obese, have a thick chest wall, have bandages on your chest, or are using a ventilator to help you breathe.

An implantable loop recorder is a small instrument that is fitted just beneath the skin of the chest to track your heartbeat for up to three years. It collects data that a normal ECG or Holter monitor might miss, such as certain occasional cardiac rhythm patterns.

If you experience an arrhythmia, an inexplicable stroke, or syncope (unexplained fainting), a cardiologist may advise getting an implantable loop recorder.

Cardiac catheterisation assists in measuring the heart's pressure and blood flow. In this treatment, a catheter (thin tube) is inserted into the heart through a blood artery in the arm or groin.

Cardiac catheterisation can be conducted to check for cardiac muscle, valve, or artery diseases and provides information on how well the heart is functioning.

A CT scan uses an X-ray tube to collect images of the heart and blood vessels while the patient lies on a table inside the CT scanner.

A CT scan may be used for a variety of purposes since it can swiftly produce precise images of the heart and its arteries. These include the detection and diagnosis of heart valve problems, artery blockages, tumours or masses, congenital heart disease and the assessment of heart disease risk.

A cardiac MRI uses radio waves produced by a computer and a magnetic field to produce detailed images of the heart.

A cardiologist might recommend a cardiac MRI to have a better look at the cardiac muscles, the size and function of the heart chambers, and the blood arteries that are connected to the heart in order to help with a diagnosis.

Interventional cardiology uses specialised imaging and other diagnostic procedures to assess the flow and pressure of the blood in the heart chambers and coronary arteries.

This particular branch of medicine may be required if you have any defects within the cardiovascular system that affect its functionality, which necessitates treatment.

Cardiac electrophysiology is the study of cardiac rhythm to find irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia).

It entails inserting specialised tubes (catheters) into a vein or artery in order to track the electrical activity of the heart and gauge how it reacts to various stimuli.

A cardiologist may employ cardiac electrophysiology to identify the location of any abnormal heartbeats.