Heart disease can be a silent problem with symptoms that manifest when your condition worsens. If you have a history of heart disease in your family, it is advisable to have heart exams. These tests help cardiologists monitor your heart health and recommend treatments you may need to halt or reverse the progress of heaty conditions. Here are four preventative heart tests you can get at a cardiology clinic:
Electrocardiogram
An electrocardiogram test measures your heart’s electrical activity, providing a record of information on your heart rate and rhythm. The test is quick, painless, and noninvasive, and it involves placing electrodes on the skin to capture the heart’s electric signals. If your cardiologist needs to monitor your heart rhythm over several days, they perform an ambulatory ECG, done using a portable device with electrodes that stay attached to your skin.
Cardiologists use ECG tests to detect abnormal heart rhythms and signs of damage to the heart muscle. The test results can help doctors identify problems like arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, heart attacks, and heart blockage. If you have a family history of heart disease, getting ECGs at a cardiology facility periodically can help diagnose any heart issues early.
Echocardiogram
Cardiologists use this ultrasound scan to view the structure and functionality of a patient’s heart utilizing high-frequency sound waves. During the test, your doctor applies lubricating gel onto your bare chest and moves an ultrasound probe attached to a display monitor across your chest. The resulting image allows your cardiologist to assess the size and shape of the heart. They also examine how well its chambers and valves are functioning and whether there are any abnormalities. An echocardiogram can help diagnose congenital heart defects, endocarditis, cardiomyopathy, and problems affecting the valves.
Vascular Ultrasound
A vascular ultrasound is a screening test that involves using sound waves to create an image of your blood vessels. During the ultrasound, your doctor asks you to remove any jewelry you have on and put on a hospital gown. They apply lubricating jelly on the areas they intend to examine, then move a transducer probe over those areas, capturing and recording images of your blood vessels. Cardiologists perform ultrasound to monitor blood flow throughout the body, allowing them to identify blockages caused by things like blood clots. Doctors can also identify blood vessels that have widened abnormally through your ultrasound results. If you have varicose veins, your doctor can perform a vascular ultrasound to determine these veins’ supply, helping them to decide on an appropriate course of treatment.
Stress Test
A stress test evaluates how your heart performs under physical exertion. The doctor determines potential issues which may be hard to diagnose when the heart is at rest. To perform the stress test, your cardiologist asks you to walk on a treadmill or peddle a stationary bike while hooked to machines that monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and heart rhythm. Your stress test results can help identify issues like poor blood flow to the heart and arrhythmia. Go for a cardiac stress test if you experience chest pain or shortness of breath during exercise.
Book an Appointment at a Cardiology Facility Today
If you think you may be at risk of suffering a heart condition, undergoing preventive tests can allow for timely diagnosis and treatments. A professional cardiologist can help tailor your testing schedule and guide you on ways to manage any identified heart problem. Contact a heart specialist today to book a comprehensive heart screening appointment.