About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Non-Invasive and Invasive Tests for Heart Disease
Introduction
When doctors suspect heart problems, they may use various tests to assess heart function. These tests help diagnose conditions such as coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure, arrhythmias, and valve disorders. Testing can be divided into non-invasive and invasive methods.
Non-Invasive Tests
1. Electrocardiogram (ECG / EKG)
- Measures the electrical activity of the heart.
- Helps detect arrhythmias, previous heart attacks, and ischemia.
2. Echocardiogram (Echo)
- Uses ultrasound to create images of the heart.
- Assesses heart structure and function, valvular heart disease, and heart muscle strength.
3. Exercise Stress Test
- Evaluates heart function under stress (e.g., treadmill or stationary bike).
- Helps diagnose coronary artery disease and assess exercise response.
4. Holter Monitor / Event Recorder
- A 24-hour or longer ECG recording to detect intermittent arrhythmias.
5. Cardiac MRI and CT Angiography
- Provides detailed images of heart anatomy and blood vessels.
- Helps in structural heart disease assessment and coronary artery visualization.
Invasive Tests
1. Coronary Angiography (NGO Test)
- A contrast dye is injected into coronary arteries via a catheter.
- Identifies blockages or narrowing in coronary arteries.
- Often used before angioplasty or bypass surgery.
2. Electrophysiology Study (EPS)
- Evaluates abnormal heart rhythms and determines the need for ablation therapy.
3. Right and Left Heart Catheterization
- Measures pressure and oxygen levels inside the heart chambers.
- Used to diagnose heart failure, valve disease, and congenital heart conditions.
Conclusion
Heart tests are crucial for diagnosing and managing cardiovascular diseases. Non-invasive tests are commonly used for screening and risk assessment, while invasive tests provide detailed information for critical treatment decisions.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines on Cardiovascular Testing
- https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/heart-health-screenings
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000678
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-statements
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Coronary Syndromes
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Chronic-Coronary-Syndromes
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/41/3/407/5556137
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31504439/
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/45/36/3415/7743115
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001168
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
Best practices from USA, EU and Japan
Our answers to your questions are based on the clinical recommendations of countries with the most developed healthcare systems in the field of cardiology in the USA, the EU and Japan.
Always up-to-date information
On a daily basis, we monitor for you all new scientific research publications in leading scientific journals on medical issues of interest to you.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
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Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.