Tests and investigations
Your doctor will talk to you about any tests or investigations that you may need
If your doctor thinks that you may have a heart condition then you may need the following tests / investigations:
Routine tests / investigations
- Blood and urine tests
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Monitoring your weight and blood pressure
- Chest x-ray: useful for showing the size and shape of the heart and detecting chest disorders. It can also show any fluid in the lungs, which may be caused by heart disease.
- Detailed family history of heart conditions and lifestyle evaluation to check for any cardiovascular risk factors
- Eye examination: your eyes will be examined to look at the blood vessels at the back of the eye
- Checking your pulses in your wrists, legs and feet
Specialist tests
Depending on your situation, further tests or investigations may be necessary. These can include:
- Exercise ECG: also known as a treadmill test or an exercise test
- Angiogram: also known as cardiac catheterisation
- Echocardiogram: also known as an 'echo'
- Magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI)
- Thallium Scan: also called myocardial perfusion scintigraphy