Common Tests for Coronary Artery Disease
Common Tests for Coronary Artery DiseaseIf Coronary Artery Disease is left undiagnosed or untreated it can continue to get worse and lead to serioushealth concerns, like Heart Attack or Heart Failure.CAD is the leading cause of death for both men and women.That’s why it’s so important to be diagnosed, so you can start to get treatment.There are several tests your healthcare provider can perform to determine whether you have CAD.You will have a physical exam.You may be given an exercise stress test to show how your heart reacts to activity.An Electrocardiogram, or EKG, can show how fast your heart is beating, if you have any prior damage orscarring, and any irregular rhythms.An Echocardiogram can help your healthcare provider see the size and shape of your heart, the thickness ofthe walls of the heart, as well as how well the chambers and valves are working and areas of poor blood flow.Blood tests can show if you have any medical risk factors for CAD.Other tests include:CT Scan of the Heart,CT Angiogram,Nuclear Stress Test,and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).To confirm the diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease, your healthcare provider may recommend a CardiacCatheterization to locate any plaque build up.To do this a long thin tube, called a catheter, is inserted into your arm or leg and guided to your heart.Then a contrast dye is injected. Using an x-ray camera, your healthcare provider can follow the dye as itmoves through your arteries and see where an artery has become narrowed, how much it has narrowed, andif there is any damage to your heart.Being tested for, or diagnosed with, Coronary Artery Disease can be scary.Talk to your healthcare provider about the tests they are recommending and about any concerns you have.Page 1 ofThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.© The Wellness Network
© The Wellness Network
