What Kind of Tests Does a Cardiologist Do?
Cardiologists identify, treat, and manage conditions of the heart and blood vessels. To properly diagnose heart issues, they do a variety of tests, each designed to examine specific aspects of cardiovascular function. Here is more information about the tests cardiologists perform:
Stress Test
The stress test, also known as a treadmill test or exercise stress test, assesses how well your heart performs under physical exertion. During this test, you’ll walk or run on a treadmill while hooked up to a device that monitors your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. A stress test helps doctors identify issues such as coronary artery disease or irregular heart rhythms that might only surface when your heart is working harder than normal.
For individuals unable to undergo physical stress, medication might be administered to simulate the effects of exercise on the heart. This might be done if you’ve experienced periodic chest pain or shortness of breath. In these cases, the cardiologist may use the stress test to determine whether your symptoms are related to physical strain.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram is a non-invasive test that uses ultrasound waves to show detailed images of the heart. A small transducer is placed on your chest to capture these images, allowing the cardiologist to view your heart’s structure and function in real-time.
An echo provides information about the size, shape, and movement of your heart and the functioning of its chambers and valves. It’s used for diagnosing conditions like heart valve disease, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure. If a cardiologist hears a murmur during a physical exam, they might order an echocardiogram to determine whether the noise is due to valve problems or another issue.
Doppler Ultrasound
A Doppler ultrasound is similar to an echocardiogram but focuses specifically on blood flow. It uses sound waves to measure the speed and direction of blood flow through your arteries and veins. This test involves placing a probe over the blood vessels in either your neck, arms, or legs.
A Doppler ultrasound diagnoses blockages, clots, or narrowing in blood vessels and conditions like peripheral artery disease. It’s also used to check blood flow post-surgery, which is needed for proper healing. If a patient reports swelling in the lower legs, the cardiologist may use a Doppler ultrasound to check for blood clots or other circulation issues.
Blood Tests
Blood tests allow cardiologists to evaluate levels of substances that can indicate heart problems, such as cholesterol, triglycerides, or specific enzymes. Some key markers are troponin levels, cholesterol levels, and B-type natriuretic peptides (BNP). The troponin levels are tested after suspected heart attacks to confirm heart damage. Cholesterol tests assess your risk for developing plaque buildup in the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis. BNP is also tested as it is a marker for heart failure. Your cardiologist might run blood tests for abnormal enzyme levels that suggest a heart attack or another serious issue if you have experienced discomfort in your chest.
Meet With Your Cardiologist
If you’re experiencing chest pain, trouble breathing, or chest discomfort, you may need to see a cardiologist. A cardiologist runs tests like stress tests, Doppler ultrasound, blood tests, and echocardiograms to check your heart health. Get in touch with a heart doctor today to discuss your heart health and treatment options.
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