The coronary arteries supply the heart muscles and tissues with essential blood. There are three main coronary arteries that branch from the aorta just as it leaves the heart. These arteries are the right coronary artery, the left main coronary artery and the circumflex artery. Coronary artery disease occurs when these blood vessels are damaged, narrowed or blocked due to fat deposits or blood clots. Blockages and narrowing of the coronary arteries can lead to heart damage and disease. There are several diagnostic parameters for coronary artery disease.
Electrocardiogram
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute explains that an electrocardiogram, or EKG, is a diagnostic test that measures the electrical conduction of the heart's pacemakers. The electrical activity is generated by the sinoatrial or SA and atrioventrical of AV nodes and conducted throughout the heart. An EKG is a non-invasive test that shows abnormalities in the electrical conduction due to damage to the heart muscles as well as inadequate blood flow to heart muscles and other heart problems. An EKG is a vital parameter in diagnosing heart disease and a heart attack.
Echocardiogram
According to "European Heart Journal," an echocardiogram, or echocardiograph, is a diagnostic procedure that uses soundwaves to view the heart. A detailed image of the beating heart is created so that doctors are able to see live areas of the heart that may be damaged due to decreased blood flow. This allows the areas of blockage or narrowing in the coronary arteries to be seen so that they can be repaired.
Stress Test
A stress test is also known as an exercise EKG, or exercise tolerance test. This diagnostic test measures the electrical output of the heart by placing leads on specific parts of the body during physical activity such as running on a treadmill, as explained by "European Heart Journal." Heart problems such as muscle damage or abnormalities and reduced blood flow to the heart muscles can show up during strenuous activity.
