What are the items included in a cardiac examination?
Disease description:
Chest tightness, dizziness, mild swelling around the eyes and face, shortness of breath, and rapid heartbeat. My doctor recommended a heart examination, but I don't know what tests are involved. So, what are the cardiac examination procedures?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Tian Hongbo
There are various cardiac examination methods available to comprehensively assess heart health. The main ones include the following:
1. Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a common and fundamental test that reflects the heart's electrical activity, enabling rapid detection of arrhythmias, myocardial ischemia, and related issues.
2. Echocardiography (color Doppler ultrasound) allows direct visualization of the heart's structure and function, including heart size, ventricular wall thickness, valve condition, and cardiac output.
3. Holter monitoring continuously records heart electrical activity over 24 hours or longer, helping detect hidden arrhythmias and episodes of myocardial ischemia.
4. Myocardial enzyme panel tests measure levels of cardiac enzymes in the blood to determine whether heart muscle damage has occurred, commonly used in diagnosing conditions such as myocardial infarction.
5. Coronary angiography is the "gold standard" for diagnosing coronary artery disease, providing clear images of coronary artery anatomy and the extent of blockages.
6. Exercise stress testing (treadmill test) evaluates heart function under physical exertion.
7. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides more detailed information about cardiac anatomy and tissue characteristics.
If you experience any heart discomfort, seek medical attention promptly.
