Cardiac testing is essential for diagnosing and managing heart disease. I asked Lee Health Heart Institute Cardiologist Robert Cross, M.D., to explain tests used for assessing heart function, detecting abnormalities and guiding treatment plans.
“The most common diagnostic tests used in cardiology are electrocardiograms (EKGs), echocardiograms, stress tests and, more recently, coronary cat scan,” Dr. Cross said. “Patients are most often directed to get testing when they have symptoms like chest discomfort, shortness of breath, fatigue or dizziness. Sometimes, depending on family history, or for clearance to participate in sports and athletic activities, patients also may be referred for testing.”
Electrocardiograms (EKGs) record the electrical activity of the heart. With this test, small electrodes are placed on the chest, arms and legs to capture heart signals—it is a quick and noninvasive test. “EKGs help identify irregular heart rhythms, called arrhythmias, as well as heart attacks, damage to the heart muscle or an enlarged heart,” Dr. Cross says.
Another noninvasive test is the echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound waves to create images of the heart’s structure and function. Echocardiograms help diagnose valve disease, heart failure and congenital heart defects.
“Stress tests help us evaluate how the heart performs under physical exertion, so patients may walk on a treadmill or receive medication that stimulates the heart,” Dr. Cross says. “This test helps diagnose coronary artery disease and can help determine safe levels of exercise for patients with heart conditions.”
With coronary CAT scans, Dr. Cross explains that artificial intelligence can assist with determining plaque characteristics (structure and size), which aids in determining the risk of future events, like heart attacks, and establishing the right treatment options. “We can also apply flow software to assess significant obstruction in heart arteries leading to treatment options,” he said.
If you are concerned about your heart health and are curious about which tests may be right for you, talk to your healthcare provider about your risk and needs.
“It is always important to remind people about how they can reduce their risk for heart disease,” Dr. Cross adds. “Adhere to a healthy diet, like the Mediterranean diet, for example. Get regular exercise—approximately 30 minutes, five times per week. Avoid tobacco and alcohol. And make sure you have good control of other risk factors, like diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension) and high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia).”
To learn more about the Lee Health Heart Institute, visit www.LeeHealth.org/our-services/cardiovascular-services.