Heart and Vascular Tests

Comprehensive Heart and Vascular Tests

Your care may start with one of a variety of tests that study and record activity in your heart and vascular system to help your provider diagnose your condition. Some tests may include:

• Ankle brachial index – Blood pressures are taken at the arm and ankle, if the ratio is abnormal this indicates poor blood flow to the leg
• Arterial duplex ultrasound – Uses ultrasound waves measure the speed and direction of blood flow to diagnose blockages in the arteries
• Bronson Heart Scan – Detects evidence of heart disease before you have symptoms
• Carotid ultrasound – Uses ultrasound waves to measure the flow in the carotid arteries that lead to the brain
• Diagnostic cardiac catheterization – Procedure that allows the doctor to confirm the diagnosis of your heart condition and provide more accurate and detailed information
• Echocardiography (ECG) – Test that takes “moving pictures” of the heart with sound waves
• Electrocardiography – Measurement and recording of the electrical activity in the heart
• Electrophysiology testing – Diagnoses heart rhythm disorders by measuring the electrical activity of your heart
• Event monitor (including holter and loop) – Device that records your heart's rhythm electrical activity
• Heart health screening – Screening that evaluates your blood pressure, total cholesterol and blood sugar levels
• Interventional radiology – use of minimally and non-invasive instruments and techniques for taking pictures of the inside of the body, organs and tissues
• Intravascular imaging – Use of a continuous X-ray image on a monitor to view and assess blockage within a blood vessel
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – Uses radio waves to create images of inside your body
• Nuclear cardiac studies – Test that provides important information about the health of your heart
• Stress testing – Tests that temporarily make your heart beat faster and harder in order to help diagnose the presence and severity of heart problems
• Ultrasound imaging – Creates images of the inside of your body using high-frequency sound waves
• Vein screening - Free screenings are available to access your vein health
• Venous duplex ultrasound – Test used to measure how well blood is being returned through veins to the heart