Tests and investigations

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

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