Labmed Team
9 Heart Tests Your Doctor Might Order, and What They Mean
Heart tests
Heart tests give you and your doctor more information about the condition of your heart and can help you find out which treatment(s) may be best for you. Want to know what to expect during a heart test? Learn about the various tests used to check your heart health.
Note: If you are taking medication for your heart, it is important to talk to your doctor, nurse, or other health professional about whether you need to stop taking these medications before having a heart test, and how soon you should start retaking them after the test.
Labmed Egypt offers a range of tests that achieve this goal and help you understand your heart condition and its needs through test kits designed by leading consultants:
The heart is considered one of the most important organs in the body, as it pumps oxygenated blood and nutrients throughout the body. To maintain heart health and prevent cardiovascular diseases, it is essential to undergo regular checkups. The cardiac analysis package offers a range of important tests that help evaluate heart health and early detection of risk factors that lead to heart disease. This package is suitable for individuals who wish to ensure their overall heart health or those who have risk factors for heart disease, such as hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking, a family history of heart disease, and diabetes.
Angiography
Coronary angiography involves a small tube being inserted into an artery and threaded through to the coronary arteries near your heart. A special dye is injected through the catheter into your bloodstream. Using the dye as a highlight, X-ray pictures of the heart and coronary arteries are taken.
Blood pressure monitoring
Blood pressure monitoring involves wearing a blood pressure unit for up to 24 hours. This unit regularly takes your blood pressure and measures your heart rate. Read more about what to expect during.
Blood tests can help to diagnose a condition or to monitor someone who has already been diagnosed with a heart condition. Blood tests can also be taken to monitor the effects of medication as well as the levels of minerals in the blood
This test uses sound waves to study the structure of your heart and how the heart and valves are working. A probe sends out and records these sound waves, producing a moving image of your heart on a computer. To read more about what to expect download our.
Specialised echo tests:
- A dobutamine stress echocardiogram is used to find out how your heart works when you are exercising. Two scans are done: one when you are resting and one when you are under stress. If you are unable to exercise, you may be given medication (dobutamine) to make your heart react as if you were exercising. A transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE) is a special type of echocardiogram where pictures of your heart are taken by inserting a probe into your throat (oesophagus). These pictures are clearer to see than those produced using a probe on your chest (as in a standard echo) because the oesophagus is close to your heart and there is no chest wall in the way.
Electrocardiograph (ECG) tests
An electrocardiograph is the most common test for heart conditions. An electrocardiograph machine records your heart's rhythm onto paper through sticky electrodes which are placed on your chest, arms and legs. The recording will show if the heart muscle is damaged or short of oxygen.
- An exercise tolerance test (ETT) involves two ECG scans, one when you are exercising and one when you are resting. Some heart problems only appear when your heart needs to work harder. This test helps to show how your heart copes under stress.
- A cardiac holter monitoring test is used to identify any heart rhythm problems. For this test you wear a small, portable ECG machine for 24 or 48 hours and during this time your heart rate and rhythm are recorded.
- Event monitoring is used to record your heartbeat when you experience symptoms such as dizziness, black outs, chest pain or palpitations. When you experience symptoms, you will need to press a button to start the recording.
EP study (Electrophysiology study)
An EP study (electrophysiology study) is used to measure the electrical activity of your heart. If you have abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) or palpitations you may need this test. Similar to an angiography, fine tubes (electrode catheters) are fed into a vein and/or artery, usually in the groin. They are then gently moved into the heart, where they stimulate the heart and record your heart's electrical activity.
Myocardial perfusion scans
These tests are used to see how blood flows to the heart. A dye is injected to highlight the blood vessels in your heart. A large machine then creates pictures of your heart by scanning your chest and looking for the dye. This test can also be used before and after exercise to see how the flow of blood to the heart changes with exercise.
Tilt table test
The tilt table test is used if you have episodes of fainting, to find out if these could be related to your heart. You lie on a special table, which can be angled so you lie down or stand up and you will be attached to a heart and blood pressure monitor, which records how your heart rate and blood pressure respond to changes in position. During the test you may have an intravenous (IV) needle in your arm so you can be given medication.
