Home > Cardiology diagnostic tests and procedures
The diagnostic tests in cardiology are methods of identifying heart conditions associated with healthy vs. unhealthy, pathologic, heart function.1 Bedside
1.1 Auscultation
Auscultation employs a stethoscope to more easily hear various normal and abnormal sounds, such as normal heart beat sounds and the usual heart beat sound changes associated with breathing versus heart murmurs.
2 Laboratory
2.1 Blood tests
A variety of blood tests are available for analyzing cholesterol transport behavior, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, lipoprotein little a , homocysteine, C-reactive protein, myoglobin, creatine kinase, troponin, brain-type natriuretic peptide , etc. to assess the evolution of coronary artery disease and evidence of existing damage. A great many more physiologicPhysiology is the study of the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of living organisms. Physiology has traditionally been divided into plant physiology and animal physiology but the principles of physiology are universal, no matter what partic markers related to atherosclerosisAtherosclerosis is a disease of arterial blood vessels. Venous vessels are not involved unless surgically moved to function as an artery. Atherosclerosis is commonly referred to as a "hardening of blood vessels", but this is an over-simplification. Vascul and heart function are used and being developed and evaluated in researchFor the suburb of Melbourne, Australia, see Research, Victoria. Research is an active, diligent and systematic process of inquiry in order to discover, interpret or revise facts, events, behaviors, or theories, or to make practical applications with the h.
3 Electrophysiology
3.1 Electrocardiogram
Electrocardiography (ECG/EKG) monitors electricalElectricity is a property of certain subatomic particles, such as electrons and protons, that gives rise to attractive and repulsive forces between them. It is one of the four fundamental forces of nature, and is a conserved property of matter that can be activity of the heart, primarily as recorded from the skin surface. A 12 lead recording, 6 for the front plane and 6 for the lower chest crossectional plane, is the most commonly used form.
3.2 Holter monitor
A Holter monitor records a continuous EKG rhythm pattern (rarely a full EKG) for 24 hours or more. These monitors are used for suspected frequent rhythm abnormalities, especially ones the wearer may not recognize by symptoms. They are more expensive than event monitors.
3.3 Event monitor
An Event monitor records short term EKG rhythm patterns, generally storing the last 2 to 5 minutes, adding in new & discarding old data, for 1 to 2 weeks or more. There are several different types with different capabilities. When the wearer presses a button on the monitor, it quits discarding old and continues recording for a short additional period. The wearer then plays the recording, via a standard phone connection, to a center with compatible receiving and rhythm printing equipment, after which the monitor is ready to record again. These monitors are used for suspected infrequent rhythm abnormalities, especially ones the wearer does recognize by symptoms. They are less expensive than Holter monitors.
3.4 Cardiac stress testing
Cardiac stress testing is used to determine to assess cardiac function and to disclose evidence of exertion-related cardiac hypoxia. Radionuclide testing using thallium or technetium can be used to demonstrate areas of perfusion abnormalities.
