Angina Tests & Diagnosis - OmniMedicalSearch.com

Conditions & Diseases: Cardiovascular System

Angina

Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods/Tools

Diagnostic methods comprise of lab tests such as blood analysis along with other testing methods based on symptoms:

1. Blood Test: Blood tests help in determining the fat levels, cholesterol levels, sugar levels and C-reactive protein levels. High levels of fats, cholesterol and C-reactive protein are indicators of CAD and a heart attack.

2. X-rays: A chest X-ray provides a picture of the heart, lungs and blood vessels. A chest X-ray can also show signs of heart failure.

3. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): An electrocardiogram is a simple test that detects and records electrical activity of the heart determining its rhythm. Electrical patterns thus recorded sometimes suggest the likelihood of CAD or a previous heart attack.

4. Stress Testing: In this diagnostic method, an electrocardiogram is done while the patient is walking or running on a treadmill or pedaling a fixed bicycle. Other tests such as nuclear heart scanning or echocardiography can be done simultaneously. In case the patient is unable to exercise, a medicine is injected into the blood stream to make his heart work faster and the electrocardiogram readings are recorded (1).

5. Coronary Angiogram and Cardiac Catherization: This is one of the most accurate, invasive tests performed and works by threading a thin plastic tube called catheter through an artery in the arm or groin and guided to coronary arteries. Then a harmless dye is injected into the arteries to highlight the arteries that are blocked by taking pictures with the help of x-rays (9).

6. Stress Echocardiography: In this method, an ultrasound imaging of myocardial muscle is done combined with an exercise treadmill. This method is about 80% to 85% accurate in detecting CAD. In those cases of patients that cannot walk on a treadmill, case a drug called Dobutamine is injected before doctors record ultrasound images of the heart. Dobutamine stimulates and speeds up the heart (2).

7. Electrophysiology Test: An electrophysiology test (EP test) is used to record the electrical activity and electrical pathways of the heart. This test helps in determining the cause of heart rhythm disturbance and the best possible treatment option (11).

8. Ergonovine test or Provocation test: This test is performed very rarely and in cases wherein angina is suspected due to arterial spasms (variant angina). In this procedure an artery-narrowing drug, Ergonovine or Acetylcholine is injected and the response recorded (12).

Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com