10 crucial tests to diagnose heart problems

When it comes to heart diseases, we are so less informed that sometimes it deprives us from the right information and even the right medical assessment and treatment. Adequate knowledge on major diseases, will give you enough scopes to look out for help.

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Here we will discuss the 10 crucial tests which are extremely essential in determining the heart health:

In this test the heart's electrical activity is recorded. It generates a graph of the voltage versus the electrical activity of the heart. In this test electrodes are placed on the skin. The sensors attached to the skin detect the electric signals produced by the heart every time it beats.

In Coronary angiogram X ray imaging is used to see the blood vessels of the heart. This is usually done to check for a blockage which might be restricting the flow of blood to the heart.

This is an imaging technology mostly done to image the non-bony parts or soft tissues of the body. In this a strong magnetic field is used to image the heart. The magnetic field lines up the hydrogen protons in the body. The radio waves then knock the protons out of position. As they realign back into proper position, they send out radio signals. A computer receives the signals and converts them into images of the body. Doctors use this to monitor cardiac disease.

Also known as treadmill test, this test helps to figure out how well your heart works. "In a stress test, you walk on a treadmill that makes your heart work progressively harder. An electrocardiogram (ECG) monitors your heart's electrical rhythms. The doctor also measures your blood pressure and monitors whether you have symptoms like chest discomfort or fatigue. Abnormalities in blood pressure, heart rate, or ECG or worsening physical symptoms could point to coronary artery disease (CAD): fatty deposits (plaques) that reduce the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle," says a Harvard report.

Coronary computed tomography angiogram (CCTA) is a 3D imaging testing method that identifies plaque or any other cause that is narrowing down the coronary arteries. In this a dye is injected into the body and computed tomography, which is a combination of X rays and computer technology is used to produce images.

In this ultrasound test, the structure of the heart is checked. It can diagnose several heart related complications like cardiomyopathy and valve disease. This type of testing does not use radiation.

In this test, a small amount of radioactive material is used as a tracer to create images of blood flowing to the heart. The test is done when the person is at rest and during activity and thus efficiently detects poor blood flow or damage to the heart.

This testing is done to determine the cause of syncope by creating changes in posture from lying to standing. The patient will lie flat with safety belts attached and will be connected to ECG and blood pressure monitors. The bed on which the patient lies will be titled and the recordings will be taken. It is done to evaluate sudden drop in blood pressure, irregular heart beat, structural heart problem, heart attack and cardiomyopathy ventricular dysfunction.

To determine a heart disease, the common blood tests are high cholesterol, plasma ceramides, natriuretic peptide, Troponin T, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

Doctors recommend these tests to detect whether the heart of an individual is functioning in the right way or not. If not, immediate medical help is provided to the patient.

It is very crucial to listen to the doctor and get the tests done on time so that any disease that has already begun does not get a chance to grow further.