Essential Heart Disease Tests: What You Need to Know

Nearly half of all people in the U.S. who die of sudden cardiac arrest experience no symptoms (asymptomatic) before their heart attack. Heart disease, the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the U.S., claims about 695,000 lives each year, mostly due to coronary artery disease (CAD).

That’s why heart disease tests are essential for detecting and managing heart diseases like CAD. Dr. Robert Cross, a board-certified cardiologist with the Lee Health Heart Institute, discusses the various heart tests that assess heart function, detect abnormalities and guide treatment plans.To learn more about how you and your doctor can care for your heart, your body’s hardest-working muscle, read on.

The importance of cardiac testing

The most common diagnostic tests used in cardiology are electrocardiograms (EKGs), echocardiograms, stress tests and, more recently, coronary CT scans, according to Dr. Cross. 

"Patients are most often directed to get testing when they have symptoms like chest discomfort, shortness of breath, fatigue or dizziness,” Dr. Cross says. “Sometimes, depending on family history, or for clearance to participate in sports and athletic activities, patients also may be referred for testing."

Understanding EKGs: The electrical snapshot

An electrocardiogram, commonly known as an EKG or ECG, serves as a fundamental diagnostic tool in cardiology. This noninvasive test uses electrodes placed strategically on the body to record the heart's electrical activity. 

"EKGs help identify irregular heart rhythms, called arrhythmias, as well as heart attacks, damage to the heart muscle or an enlarged heart,” Dr. Cross explains.

WATCH: Meet board-certified cardiologist Dr. Robert Cross

Arrhythmias, which affect an estimated 2.7 million Americans, can range from harmless to life-threatening. The ability to detect these irregularities through EKG testing allows for timely intervention and treatment.

Echocardiograms: Seeing the heart in action

Echocardiography represents another crucial non-invasive diagnostic tool that uses ultrasound technology to create real-time images of the heart. This test provides valuable information about the heart's structure and function, particularly in diagnosing valve disease, heart failure, and congenital heart defects.

Heart valve disease affects approximately 2.5 percent of the U.S. population, while congenital heart defects occur in nearly 1 percent of all births. Early detection through echocardiograms can significantly improve outcomes for these conditions.

Stress tests: Evaluating heart performance

Understanding how the heart performs under physical stress provides vital diagnostic information.

"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."

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., affecting approximately 20.1 million adults aged 20 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

In Florida alone, an estimated 1.8 million adults live with CAD. Coronary artery disease develops when the major blood vessels supplying the heart become damaged or diseased. Stress tests can help identify CAD before it leads to serious complications like heart attacks.

Advanced imaging: The role of coronary CT scans

Modern cardiac imaging has evolved significantly with the integration of artificial intelligence. 

READ: How technology is transforming heart care at Lee Health

Dr. Cross says 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."

He adds, "We can also apply flow software to assess significant obstruction in heart arteries leading to treatment options."

Preventing heart disease: The power of lifestyle changes

Diagnostic testing remains crucial for managing heart disease, but the role you play in prevention is as equally important. 

"It’s always important to remind people about how they can reduce their risk for heart disease,” Dr. Cross says. “Stick with 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)."

Studies show that following these lifestyle recommendations can reduce heart disease risk by up to 80 percent. Hypertension, which affects nearly half of American adults, and high cholesterol, present in about 38 percent of adults, can both be managed effectively through lifestyle modifications and appropriate medical treatment.

Taking action for heart health

If you're concerned about your heart health, discuss testing options with your doctor. They can help determine which diagnostic tests are most appropriate based on your symptoms, risk factors, and medical history.

Early detection through appropriate testing, combined with lifestyle modifications and proper medical management, provides the best opportunity for managing heart disease effectively. 

WATCH HEALTH MATTERS: HealthPark Medical Center Named a Top 50 Heart Hospital