Tests
There are many different tests for diagnosing or managing heart conditions. Here is more information on some of the more common ones.
An electrocardiogram, or ECG, is a simple and useful test which records the rhythm, rate and electrical activity of your heart.
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/tests/ecg
ENQUIREThe same as an ECG but done to see how your heart works when you are doing physical activity.
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/tests/exercise-ecg
ENQUIREAn ambulatory ECG monitor is a small device that you wear on your body to record an ECG over an extended period of time (24 or 48 hours or sometimes longer). It’s like having a tiny, portable heart monitor that records your heart’s rhythm and beats while you go about your daily activities. At the end of the period, you return the monitor, and your doctor can see your heart activity for the whole time you were wearing it.
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/tests/ecg
ENQUIREA patch that is applied to the chest to record an ECG for 2 weeks. It is typically used on patients who may be asymptomatic or who may suffer from short-lived symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, light-headedness, fatigue, or anxiety. It’s also suitable for any patient requiring ambulatory cardiac monitoring.
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ENQUIREAn implantable loop recorder (or ILR) is a small, rectangular device that records the electrical activity of your heart. Loop recorders are placed under the skin, usually on the left side of your chest for up to 3 years.
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/tests/implantable-loop-recorders
ENQUIREThis is a portable blood pressure monitor that you wear for 24 hours. The blood pressure cuff that is around your arm inflates every 30 minutes while you go about your day-to-day activities. This provides a more accurate measure of your blood pressure compared to a one-off recording measured at your doctor’s surgery.
ENQUIREThis is a non-invasive test that uses sound waves to produce images of the heart. It helps assess the heart’s pumping function, the structure of the heart chambers, and the movement of the heart’s valves. Echocardiography is one of the most commonly used imaging techniques for diagnosing and managing heart problems.
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/tests/echocardiogram
ENQUIREA transesophageal echocardiogram is a special test that helps doctors take a closer look at your heart. A small device called a transducer is passed down your throat and into your esophagus, which is the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. This device sends out sound waves that create detailed pictures of your heart. These pictures show the size of your heart, how well it’s pumping, and if there are any problems with the heart valves or chambers.
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/tests/echocardiogram
ENQUIREA bubble echocardiogram, also known as a bubble study, is a special kind of ultrasound test that helps doctors look for a specific issue in the heart. During this test, a small amount of saline (saltwater solution) mixed with tiny air bubbles is injected into your vein. These bubbles travel to the right side of the heart, and if everything is normal, they should not move to the left side. If these tiny bubbles show up in the wrong place, it can suggest that there might be a hole in your heart or a problem with the way blood is flowing in your heart.
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/tests/echocardiogram
ENQUIREYou should have your pacemaker checked regularly as part of your follow-up care. Regular checks help ensure that the pacemaker is working properly and that your heart is responding well to the device. Typically, the frequency of these checks is determined by your doctor and can vary depending on your specific medical condition and the type of pacemaker you have. These checks are vital for ensuring the overall health and proper functioning of your pacemaker and to prevent any potential complications.
ENQUIREA Cardiac MRI provides detailed images of the heart, allowing cardiologists to assess the heart’s structure, function, and blood flow. It can help detect heart muscle damage, scar tissue, and other abnormalities that may contribute to heart failure.
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/tests/mri-scan
ENQUIREThis is a heart test that looks at the blood supply of your heart. It helps the doctor spot any narrowings inside the coronary arteries. A special dye is injected into an artery in your arm or leg, which travels to your coronary arteries. When it gets there, an x-ray photograph is taken of the artery to look for any narrowings of the coronary arteries.
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/tests/angiogram
ENQUIREThis test is a less invasive version of the coronary angiogram and involves a focused CT scan of the heart with particular focus on the heart arteries. This test is usually performed on patients where there is only a low degree of suspicion of heart disease as it is a less invasive test than a coronary angiogram. The test will provide a calcium score – this is a measure of the amount of calcium in the heart arteries and will provide an indication of the severity of any hardening and narrowing of the heart arteries. If a patient has chest pain that we do not think is due to hardening or narrowing of the heart arteries, but we want to eliminate all doubt a CT coronary angiogram is a very useful and non-invasive test to help confirm this and offer a great deal of peace of mind.
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