Atherosclerosis Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods
Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods/Tools
Diagnostic tests are based on various symptoms exhibited by the patient. Patients are checked for vascular occlusion with the help of various invasive and non-invasive techniques. Diagnostic tests include:
1. History and Physical examination: Patients with a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure and /or diabetes are at risk of atherosclerosis. Physical examination involves checking the pulse (which could be weak or absent) below the narrowed area of the artery, decreased blood pressure in the affected limb, “Bruits” over the arteries and signs of pulsating bulge on the abdomen or behind the knee.
2. Blood tests: Higher cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels and LDL indicate risk of atherosclerosis.
3. Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG): An electrocardiogram detects and records electrical activity of heart. An EKG also shows the strength and timing of electrical signals, these can point to a possible CAD.
4. X-ray of Chest: A chest x-ray can reveal early signs of heart failure.
5. Ankle/Brachial Index: In this test, blood pressure in the ankle is compared with that in the arm to help diagnose PAD.
6. Echocardiography: In this test, sound waves are used to create a moving picture of the heart providing information about the size and shape of the heart. Echocardiography also helps in detecting the functioning of heart’s chambers and valves. Echocardiography helps in detecting the flow of blood to the heart’s muscles and injury caused to heart’s muscle due to poor blood flow.
7. Stress Test: A patient is asked to perform physical exercises while tests are performed to check the heartbeat. Following points are to be noted during a stress test:
a. Abnormal changes in heart rate or blood pressure
b. Symptoms of shortness of breath or chest pain
c. Abnormal changes in heart rhythm or heart’s electrical activity
8. Computed Tomography Scan: This test can identify the hardened and narrowed arteries with the help of computer-generated images of the heart, brain or any other part of the body (2).
9. Ultra fast Computed Tomography: In this non-invasive imaging test, various pictures of heart are taken at different angles to measure the calcium content in the arteries. Results of this test are expressed as a calcium score.
10. Nuclear Stress Test: In this test, a radionuclide substance such as Thallium or Myoview or Sestamibi is injected into the blood stream and clear pictures are taken with the help of a gamma camera. The pictures are taken both at rest and after stress or exercise giving important information about blockages of arteries to a radiologist (4).
Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com
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