Common test for diagnosis of heart disease
Heart diseases are the diseases that affects the heart and blood vessels. The risk of heart diseases may be increased by high blood pressure high cholesterol on healthy diet lack of exercises obesity and certain bad habits. Coronary artery disease is the most common heart disease which can lead to chest pain heart attack and stroke. Heart diseases prevalence rate in India according to past surveys have ranged from 1.6 % to 7.4 % in rural populations and 1% to 13.2% in urban population.
Some of the common symptoms of heart disease are:-
- Chest pain, chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in neck, jaw, back and abdomen
- Pain numbness and weakness in legs and arms
All of the above symptoms maybe risk factor if not diagnosed early. To diagnose heart diseases various types of tests are done, some of them are done before the signs, while other are specifically taken to look for possible causes
- Electrocardiogram(ECG) - This is a test which measures the electrical activity of the heart beat. It's a quick and painless test that records the electrical signal of heart. It can spot abnormal heart rhythm. This test is done to monitor changes in heart rhythm, determination of heart attack.
Echocardiogram - uses sound waves to produce image of the heart. This common test is used to see how the heart is beating and how the blood is moving through the heart. Pictures of an echocardiogram are used to identify abnormalities in heart muscles and valve's. This test is done to determine the cause of heart murmur, check the function of heart valves and to assess the overall function of the heart.
- Heart MRI - in MRI the images of the blood vessels are created while the heart is beating. It is a painless procedure which uses magnetic waves to evaluate the heart and blood vessels connected to heart and lungs. This test is used to assess the heart structure and to assess the function of heart valves.
- Physical examination and blood tests - general physical examination is done to determine the efficiency of heart and the heartbeat and to understand the family history of the patient. Some of the basic heart related blood tests are also required as it becomes easier for the doctor to detect the possibilities of the disease. Basic chest X-ray is also advised for shape and size of the heart.
- catheterization - In this test short tube is inserted into a vein are artery in the leg or arm which is carried to the heart. The doctor uses this test to check blood vessels and hard abnormality, with this test doctor can get direct information about the blood pressure and the pattern of blood flow within the heart. The pressure the heart chambers can also be measured through this test.