The Picture of Heart Health: How Cardiac Imaging and Tests Help Diagnose Heart Disease.

The American Heart Association estimates that more than 45% of people in the U.S. may have heart disease by 2035. The good news is that a broad range of imaging and testing can help evaluate and diagnose heart disease early, paving the way for better treatment outcomes. So, there’s no better time than today to take proactive care of your heart.

Start by paying close attention to symptoms of a cardiovascular condition, such as:
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• Chest pain

• Extreme fatigue

• Fainting

• Heart palpitations

• Light headedness or feeling dizzy

• Shortness of breath

These signs, along with risk factors such as family history, smoking, high blood pressure, or diabetes, can mean it’s time to visit your doctor. If you have risk factors, schedule an exam if it’s been more than a year since your last appointment.

Working together, you and your doctor can assess your overall health and take steps to diagnose any symptoms. One of those steps may be visiting a cardiologist—a doctor who specializes in heart care—for an evaluation. 

Our heart and vascular teams include more than 200 specialists throughout the region. Through this network of experts, you have access to the most advanced cardiology care not far from home.

What can you expect at your first cardiology appointment?

Your first appointment is typically a conversation between you and your cardiologist, so it’s a good idea to do a little bit of homework about your health beforehand. 

In addition to talking about your symptoms, your doctor will ask questions about your diet and exercise habits, whether you smoke or drink alcohol, and your family history of heart disease. 

If you know your numbers, such as cholesterol levels or regular blood pressure readings, bring your records along or ask your primary care physician to send them. You’ll discuss any health conditions you may have that are linked to heart disease, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

Depending on your symptoms and your health history, the next step may be testing or imaging to help pinpoint a diagnosis.

What are common cardiac imaging and tests?

If your cardiologist recommends diagnostic testing, they want to take a closer look at how your heart functions. If cardiac imaging is recommended, your doctor wants to evaluate detailed pictures of your heart. Testing and imaging may be used together or separately, but the goal of both is to answer questions about your heart health to form an accurate diagnosis.

Cardiologists have a wide variety of advanced tools and technology to help diagnose heart disease. The right options for you depend on your symptoms and overall health. Some common cardiac imaging and heart tests include:
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• Echocardiogram, also called an echo, is a type of noninvasive ultrasound. It creates images of how your heart valves, vessels, and chambers function as well as the size and shape of your heart muscle. This allows doctors to diagnose structural problems such as malfunctioning valves.

• Stress tests monitor your heart during a workout, typically while jogging on a treadmill. Medication can be used to simulate exercise as an alternative when necessary. These tests can show abnormal heart rhythms and signs of vessel blockages that might require a closer look. If a stress test is recommended, your cardiologist can help determine the option that’s right for you. 

• Calcium scan, also called a coronary artery calcium (CAC) test, is a simple CT scan of the heart that produces a score by measuring the calcified plaque inside of vessels.

Your initial test results might require more detailed imaging to pinpoint a diagnosis, such as:
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• Myocardial perfusion imaging or gated perfusion imaging are two types of nuclear medicine. Both images use a small amount of radioactive material and a special camera to examine different parts of the heart. Myocardial perfusion evaluates blood flow while gated perfusion explores how the heart muscle pumps.

• Cardiac CT scans use advanced X-rays to capture the detailed anatomy of heart vessels, chambers and values. These pictures can help diagnose coronary artery disease or blocked arteries.

• Cardiac MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnet to create highly detailed pictures of the heart. These high-resolution images can help a cardiologist see inflammation, scar tissue, narrowing of the arteries, or heart damage.

Related: Read "Why Treating AFib Early with Ablation Is Key to Long-Term Heart Health."

How do cardiac imaging and testing help determine treatment?

Imaging and testing results are key players in diagnosing heart disease. Your cardiologist will talk with you about your results, giving you a diagnosis if possible and a thorough explanation of treatment options. 

For example, if plaque is detected, treatment might range from lifestyle changes to medications such as statins. Artery blockages may be treated with a minimally invasive procedure like cardiac catheterization or angiography to open the vein with a small stent. Your treatment options are as unique as your diagnosis.

Related: Read "Global Study Compares Balloon Alternative to Stent After Angioplasty for Coronary Artery Disease."

Heart health is a collaboration between you and your doctor.

You are your best health advocate. No one knows your body better than you. Keep the lines of communication open between you and your doctor, who will be ready to listen and find the cause of your symptoms.

At MedStar Health, our multidisciplinary teams work together to provide seamless heart care. From cardiologist, to cardiac imaging, to cardiac surgeon, our physicians are here to partner with you for your best heart health.