Heart disease, also called cardiovascular disease, is a general term used to describe any disease that affects the heart and surrounding blood vessels. The most common forms of heart disease include coronary artery disease, arrhythmias and congenital (present at birth) heart defects. The American Heart Association reports that 34.3 percent of all deaths can be attributed to some form of heart disease. Since many types of heart disease can be treated or prevented, diagnosing it early through a variety of tests can be life-saving.
Blood Test
Substances in the blood can provide evidence about the health of the heart. Performing a cholesterol test can determine if the level of "bad" cholesterol is too high, which is a risk factor for heart attack. Fibrinogen, a protein that aids in clotting blood, may be elevated as a response to the inflammation that results from atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the build-up of plaque, a substance made of fat, cholesterol and calcium, that causes the arteries to narrow and can result in heart disease.
Natriuretic peptide is a protein produced in the heart. Because this protein helps to relax blood vessels, transport sodium into the urine and remove excess water from the body, levels in the blood increase when the heart is damaged to try to relieve the stress on the heart.
C-reactive protein is produced by the liver in response to inflammation. Although the presence of c-reactive protein does not specifically diagnose heart disease, this test along with others can determine when risk factors for heart disease are present.
Chest X-Ray
Taking an X-ray of the chest area provides doctors with a visual picture of the heart, lungs and surrounding blood vessels. A person suffering from heart disease will often have an enlarged heart, which can be seen on a chest X-ray.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram uses sound waves to produce a two dimensional ultrasound image of the heart. This non-invasive test can be performed while the patient is at rest or as part of a stress test. Stress tests are performed to evaluate the function of the heart and the flow of blood during exercise when the heart needs more blood and more oxygen.
Heart Biopsy
A heart biopsy is a test usually performed only after other procedures and tests have failed to provide information on why the heart is inflamed or what is causing heart disease symptoms. A heart biopsy removes a small sample of heart tissue to be tested in a laboratory.
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
A cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test utilizes a magnetic field and radio waves to produce an image of the heart. The images produced provide information on the structure and function of the heart and, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, is useful in diagnosing several types of heart disease including coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart failure, heart defects and pericarditis, which is inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart.
