8 common diagnostic tests for the Heart #2

Yesterday we described the Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) as a non-invasive test that measures the electrical impulses of the heart.

There are a total of 8 tests that doctors normally prescribe to diagnose problems of the heart.

8 common  diagnostic tests for the Heart

·         Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) a

·         Heart scan (coronary calcium scan)

·         C-reactive protein test

·         Stress test 

·         Nuclear stress test

·         Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

·         SPECT scan

·         Blood tests for heart disease

Today we will continue our study with the Heart Scan.

The Heart Scan or Coronary Calcium scan provides pictures of the coronary arteries. Doctors use these heart scans to look for calcium deposits that can narrow your coronary arteries and increase your risk of heart disease.

Heart Scans are not for everyone, though. According to The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, if you and your doctor already know that you are either at a low or high risk for a heart attack, a Heart Scan is not going to tell you anything that you  do not already know. The Heart Scan is helpful, however, in diagnosing people that are in the intermediate range. The test will show if there is an unusual amount of Calcium deposits in the arteries, and where they would be.

Heart Scans are often used if you have vague symptoms and other test results have been inconclusive in determining heart disease.

Pregnant women should not have the Heart Scan since the X-ray technology utilizes EBTC (electron beam computerized tomography) which has the equivalent of 33 chest X-rays.

For more information:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-scan/MY00327