Angina is a symptom that may warn of heart disease. It is a term used to describe pain, pressure or tightness in the chest. This discomfort may also radiate to other areas such as the arms, back, neck and jaw. There are different kinds of angina which call for different treatments. If you are experiencing this symptom, there are tests for angina that your doctor can do to help you develop the right treatment approach.
Medical History
The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute states that it will be important to determine if your angina is stable or unstable. Unstable angina may require immediate medical attention to avoid a heart attack. To help diagnose your angina, your doctor will do a physical exam. He or she will check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In addition, your doctor will need to know about your symptoms: what they feel like, where you feel them, when they occur, how long they last, what makes them better and what makes them worse. If your angina is stable, your symptoms will most likely be predictable and will respond to rest and medication. Unstable angina does not follow a pattern and can occur anywhere and at anytime. With unstable angina, you will not be able to determine what triggers your symptoms. Keeping a journal of your symptoms before you see your doctor can help him or her determine the type you have.
Electrocardiogram
If your doctor suspects angina, you may need to have an electrocardiogram, or EKG, test. Your doctor will place electrodes on your skin at various sites. This test is noninvasive, meaning the skin is not punctured. The pads will be attached to a machine that will record the electrical activity of your heart. The results of this test will let you and your doctor know how hard your heart is working, and it can detect abnormal rhythms. The Mayo Clinic states that an abnormal test may signal heart disease. However your EKG can be normal with angina as well. Your physician will combine the information from your medical history as well as other tests to help confirm a diagnosis.
Echocardiogram
This test relies on sound waves, which produce pictures of your heart muscle. Your doctor can examine these pictures to see what is causing your angina. This test will show areas of the heart that may not be getting enough blood and oxygen. When the heart does not get the blood it needs, the muscle may suffer damage and cause angina-like symptoms.
Stress Test
A stress test is either done on a treadmill if you are physically able or by injecting a stimulant if you cannot exercise. You will go through a workout on the treadmill while your heart's activity is monitored. Your blood pressure will also be taken, and you may be hooked up to an EKG and/or echocardiogram. This test tells your doctor how well your heart responds to stress. If you have heart disease, your blood pressure may not respond as it should or your heartbeat may become irregular. Your physician may also inject a dye (nuclear stress test) which will help to show how well blood flows through your system as well as any areas not getting adequate blood. Like the above tests, an abnormal response can signal heart disease, which can trigger your angina symptoms. According to the National Institutes of Health, during the stress test you may trigger your angina symptoms, which will help your doctor fully understand your condition. If this test comes back showing heart problems, there are a variety of other tests that can further diagnose your disease.
