The heart is a major organ in the body, which is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to different parts of the body and purify deoxygenated blood. For the whole process of circulation to run smoothly, it is important that the arteries and the veins also work without any problems. However, medical research and survey reports have come up with threatening news that coronary artery diseases are on the rise in people all over the world. Various factors are responsible for the same – right from diet to lifestyle, from stress to hereditary factors, etc.

Understanding the condition of the heart is very important, particularly after a certain age – though now heart ailments are seen in people of all age groups.

In case you feel any kind of chest discomfort, chest pain, shortness of breath, early fatigue etc. make sure that you visit the doctor the doctor will carry out a physical examination of you. He might also suggest some tests and investigations ascertain if you have any kind of coronary artery disease. Fortunately, advancements in medical technology have led to the development of various tests that can confirm cardiac illnesses.

In this blog, we will dive into some of these diagnostic procedures, providing insights into their purpose and methodologies

Blood Tests

Blood tests play a crucial role in diagnosing cardiac illnesses, In case of a heart attack, the heart muscles get damaged, and various kinds of substances are released into the blood from the heart muscles. The levels of these substances can be measured by blood tests, and one can know the extent of heart damage. Levels of Troponin, creatine phospo kinase (CPK – MB) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) are among the biomarkers assessed. Elevated levels of these substances can indicate heart muscle damage, inflammation, or stress or heart failure.

 Blood Pressure Monitoring

This is simplest test that can be recorded and maintained by patients at home too. Usually, patients with cardiac problems will have high blood pressure levels. Early diagnosis for the reason of high blood pressure may reduce the post ill effects. Sometimes the doctor may ask you to monitor blood pressure at different times of a day.

Chest X-Ray

Chest X-ray helps in taking images of the organs and structures inside the chest, like the heart and the lungs.

Tilt Test

A tilt test enables doctors to observe changes in your blood pressure and heart rate while transitioning from a lying down to a standing position. It helps assess symptoms such as dizziness or light-headedness and determines if these symptoms are linked to variations in blood pressure or heart rate.

Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram or 2d ECHO uses ultrasound waves to create a detailed image of the heart’s structure and function. This imaging test allows healthcare professionals to assess the heart’s chambers, valves, and overall pumping efficiency. , it gives a clear picture as to how strongly the heart pumps blood. Echocardiograms are crucial for diagnosing conditions such as heart valve diseases, congenital heart defects, and assessing heart muscle function (heart attack)

Stress test/ Treadmill test (TMT)

Stress tests, also known as Exercise Tolerance tests Or TMT Trade mill test. It is also one of the most commonly carried out tests for ascertaining the condition of the heart and how it works. People who experience problems while walking or exercising are usually recommended this test. During the test, the doctor will ask the patient to ride a stationary bike or walk on a treadmill while being monitored for changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and ECG readings. Stress tests help identify coronary artery disease, evaluate symptoms like chest pain during exercise, and assess overall cardiovascular fitness.