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Coronary Artery Disease
How is Coronary Artery Disease Diagnosed?
There is no single test to diagnose CAD. Your doctor will ask about your medical and family history, your risk factors, and do a physical exam and several tests. These procedures are used to:
• Decide if you have CAD
• Determine the extent and severity of the disease
• Rule out other possible causes of your symptoms.
Your doctor uses your exam results, your risk factors, family history, and your symptoms to decide which one or more of the following tests to order:
• EKG or ECG (electrocardiogram). This test is used to measure the rate and regularity of your heartbeat.
• Echocardiogram. This test uses sound waves to create a picture of the heart. The picture is more detailed than an x-ray image.
• Exercise stress test. This test shows how well your heart pumps at higher workloads when it needs more oxygen. EKG and blood pressure readings are taken before, during, and after exercise to see how your heart responds to exercise. The first EKG and blood pressure readings are done to get a baseline. Readings are then taken while you walk on an exercise treadmill, pedal a stationary bicycle, or receive medicine to make your heart beat faster. The test continues until you reach a heart rate set by your doctor. The exercise part is stopped if chest pain or a very sharp rise in blood pressure occurs. Monitoring continues for 10 to 15 minutes after exercise or until your heart rate returns to baseline.
• Chest x-ray. A chest x-ray takes a picture of your heart and lungs.
• Cardiac catheterization. A thin flexible tube is passed through an artery at the top of the leg (groin) or in the arm to reach the coronary arteries. This allows your doctor to examine inside your arteries to see if there is any blockage. Your doctor can determine pressure and blood flow in the heart's chambers, collect blood samples from the heart, and examine the arteries of the heart by x-ray.
• Coronary angiography. This test is usually performed along with cardiac catheterization. A dye is injected into the coronary arteries. Your doctor can see the flow of blood through the heart on an x-ray screen.
• Nuclear heart scan. This test uses radioactive tracers (technetium or thallium) to outline heart chambers and major blood vessels leading to and from the heart. A nuclear heart scan shows any damage to your heart muscle.
• Electron beam computed tomography (EBCT). This test identifies and measures calcium buildup in and around the coronary arteries.
Your doctor may also order the following blood tests:
• Fasting glucose test to check your blood sugar level.
• A fasting lipoprotein profile to check your cholesterol levels.
What Is Coronary Artery Disease?
What Causes Coronary Artery Disease?
What Makes Coronary Artery Disease More Likely?
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease?
