Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, with coronary artery disease being the common most type, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Individuals who have a family history or suspect they may have heart disease should immediately seek a doctor for cardiac testing. Doctors may suggest one or more of the following diagnostic cardiac tests: an exercise tolerance test, nuclear stress test, echocardiogram and catheterization.
Exercise Tolerance Test
The Harvard Medical School states an exercise tolerance test makes patients work at a high level of exercise, causing their heart to work harder, to see if it receiving an adequate amount of blood flow and oxygen. According to the Harvard Medical School, the most commonly referred patients to exercise tolerance testing include those who appear to have known coronary artery disease or who have symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath and lightheadedness.
An exercise tolerance tests can assist in diagnosing heart disease or assessing the effectiveness of heart disease treatment, such as prescribed medication. Doctors can also write a proper and safe exercise prescription for their patients from the results of an exercise tolerance test.
Nuclear Stress Test
A nuclear stress test measures blood flow to the heart muscle, according to the Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic states nuclear stress tests involve injecting patients with a medication that increases the blood flow to their heart muscle, essentially stimulating exercise. Nuclear stress tests provide images of the heart that show areas of low blood flow and areas of damaged heart muscle. The images of the heart are taken during the stress phase and during the rest phase.
A nuclear stress test shows how well the heart works during stress (exercise) and at rest. Nuclear stress tests help doctors to diagnose coronary artery disease and heart enlargement so doctors can devise a proper treatment plan.
Echocardiogram
Another cardiac test called the echocardiogram uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart. Medline Plus states an echocardiogram allows doctors to see the heart beating and evaluate the heart valves and chambers. An echocardiogram creates a more detailed picture than a regular x-ray image and also involves no radiation exposure. Medline Plus states an echocardiogram assists doctors in diagnosing heart murmurs, abnormal heart valves, heart failure, pericarditis, endocarditis, emboli (blood clots), congenital heart disease, atrial fibrillation and pulmonary hypertension.
Catheterization
An invasive imaging procedure, known as a cardiac catheterization, allows doctors to evaluate the hearts function. The Cleveland Clinic states a cardiac catheterization allows doctors to evaluate the presence of coronary artery disease or valve disease and evaluate heart muscle function. A cardiac catheterization assists a doctor in determining the need for further treatment, such as coronary bypass graft surgery.
During a cardiac catheterization a long, narrow tube (catheter) is inserted through a short, hollow tube within a blood vessel of the arm or leg, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The Cleveland Clinic states the doctor guides the catheter through the blood vessel to the coronary arteries of the heart with the aid of a special x-ray machine. Contrast material is then injected into the catheter to create x-ray images of the heart chambers, valves and coronary arteries.
