Heart Disease:Heart Tests
Health Journey
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Heart Health News and Insights
Sign up for a free weekly email with our most up-to-date information.
What You Need to Know
Video: Perspectives on Heart Tests
-
Afraid, He Said "No"Thought treadmill would kill him
( :38 ) -
Tests After Heart AttackTissue and scars predict future risk
( :32 ) -
Stay Calm During Angio"I felt better afterward"
( :43 ) -
Stress Test Signaled TroubleShe was athletic, but the treadmill hurt
( :33 )
What to Expect From an Echocardiogram
It doesn't hurt, but those who go through it say it can be stressful
Doctors use ultrasound to detect a baby's first heartbeat, but it can also detect heart problems. An echocardiogram, or "echo" for short, uses ultrasound (high-frequency sound waves) to map the structure and functioning of the heart, and to uncover defects in the heart valves and chambers... Read More
How to Weigh Angiogram Benefits and Risks
It's the gold standard of cardiac testing, but where and when you get it matters
You might receive an angiogram if you have symptoms that worry your doctor—such as chest pain or a heart attack. "The majority of times patients will come in with pain, we do a stress test, and then we go to the angiogram, which is still the gold standard for testing," says Leslie Cho, MD... Read More
What Cholesterol Tests Reveal About Your Heart's Health
Surprise! Your total number matters a lot less than the ratios. Here's how doctors look at it
"My cholesterol tested high and the doctors told me to lose weight, but it just went over my head," says Mark Miller, 62, a teacher and football coach from Linden, Calif. Miller weighed 380 pounds five years ago, when he suffered two heart attacks just three days apart... Read More
What Tests Can and Can’t Reveal About Your Heart
What they can (and can't) reveal
Whether they’re trying to diagnose a problem or measure your progress, doctors have many ways to examine your heart. Tests may be as simple as a stethoscope exam to listen for an irregular heart rate, or as sophisticated as a three-dimensional computerized scan to get a clear image of your heart... Read More
What Stress Tests Reveal About Your Heart Health
They're painless and effective, and they reveal how much exercise you can safely handle
Your doctor can't tell how well your heart is working until it's put to the test. If you have heart disease—or if you're at risk—your doctor may want to examine your heart during exercise. The stress test can spot hidden problems with your heart and help determine how much exercise you can safely handle... Read More
