(Also known as ECG or EKG or Electrocardio-graphy)

What the Test Does
Records the electrical activity of the heart including the timing and duration of each electrical phase in your heartbeat.

Reason for Test

• Determines that a heart attack has occurred.
• Helps predict if a heart attack is developing.
• Monitors changes in heart rhythm.

See an illustration of an Electrocardiogram.

(Also known as Holter Monitoring or Ambulatory ECG or Ambulatory EKG)

What the Test Does

Records the electrical activity of the heart during daily activities.

Reason for Test

• Documents and describes abnormal electrical activity in the heart during daily activities to help doctors determine the condition of the heart.
• Helps determine the best possible treatments.

See an illustration of Ambulatory Electrocardiography.

What the Test Does
Takes a picture of the heart, lungs and bones of the chest.

Reason for Test

• Determines whether the heart is enlarged or if fluid is accumulating in the lungs as a result of the heart attack.

(Also known as echocardiogram)

What the Test Does

A hand-held device placed on the chest that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to produce images of your heart's size, structure and motion.

Reason for Test

• Provides valuable information about the health of your heart.
• Helps gather information about abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias) in the heart.

See an illustration of Echocardiography.

(Also known as Tomography. This section includes CT, CAT scan, EBCT, PET, DCA, DSA, MRI and SPECT)

What the Test Does

Computer imaging (tomography) refers to several diagnostic-imaging tests that use computer-aided techniques to gather images of the heart.

Reason for Test

• Evaluates aortic disease (such as aortic dissection), cardiac masses and pericardial disease.

See an illustration of Computer Imaging.

(Also known as Treadmill Test, Exercise Test, Exercise Cardiac Stress Test and ECST)

What the Test Does
A monitor with electrodes that are attached to the skin on the chest area to record your heart function while you walk in place on a treadmill. Many aspects of your heart function can be checked including heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, ECG (EKG) and how tired you become when exercising.

Reason for Test

• Helps diagnose coronary artery disease (CAD).
• Helps diagnose the possible cause of symptoms such as chest pain (angina).
• Helps determine your safe level of exercise.
• Helps predict dangerous heart-related conditions such as heart attack.

See an illustration of an Exercise Stress Test.