Cardiomyopathy Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods

Conditions & Diseases: Cardiovascular System

Cardiomyopathy

Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods/Tools

Different diagnostic methods employed to detect cardiomyopathy are:

Physical Examination and Medical history:
In the physical examination, the doctor listens with the help of stethoscope to detect abnormal heart/lung sounds. The loudness, timing and location of heart murmur may suggest about hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. A “crackling” sound in the lungs indicates the signs of heart failure that often develops in the later stages of cardiomyopathy. THe physical exam may also include: noting physical signs such as swelling of the abdomen, legs or feet indicating excess fluid and signs of heart failure. Symptoms such as fatique, palpitation, chest pain, hypertension, loss of appetite, complaints of Oliguria and Nocturia are other indicators of cardiomyopathy.

Blood Tests: complete blood count, blood chemistries and cardiac enzymes provide information on the heart condition and rule out other conditions.

Chest X-ray: An X-ray of the chest may reveal if the heart is enlarged and also whether fluid is accumulating in the lungs.

Electrocardiogram (EKG): An EKG would measure the rate and regularity of heart beat. Stress test with EKG and blood pressure can reflect the heart’s working under strain.

Holter monitor (Ambulatory EKG): In this test, an electrocardiogram is recorded for a 24-hour period continuously to detect arrhythmias that rarely occur throughout the day.

Echocardiogram: In this test, sound waves are used to create a moving picture of heart providing the information about the size, shape and functioning of chambers and its valves. This test helps in identifying areas of poor blood flow to the heart, areas of heart muscle that are not contracting properly and scars formed on heart muscle due to poor blood flow. A stress echocardiogram is used to diagnose coronary heart disease and hypertrophic cardiogram.

Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE): In this test, an ultrasound probe is inserted into a sedated patient’s throat to provide a rear view of heart.

Nuclear Heart Scanning: In this test, a radioactive tracer is injected into the blood stream and a special camera used to show the blood flow in the heart and arteries.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET): MRI is used to provide a detailed image of the structure, information about the beating of heart and assess the weak and damaged areas of heart. PET shows the level of chemical activity in different areas of the heart to determine if there is adequate blood flow and detect damaged muscles of heart.

Cardiac Catheterization: A thin, flexible tube (catheter) is inserted through an artery in the upper thigh (groin) or arm so that it reaches the coronary arteries enabling the doctor to study the inside of arteries, detect blockages, check the blood pressure inside the heart and collect blood samples from the heart.

Coronary Angiography: In this test, a dye is injected into the coronary arteries to evaluate the pumping function of the heart with the help of an X-ray.

Myocardial Biopsy: In this test, a small piece of heart muscle is removed to be examine under a microscope to determine if a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy can be made (5).

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