When heart abnormalities are suspected, you want to know you have the best people guiding your care. You can be assured of that when you undergo cardiac testing at University Health. Our technicians and cardiologists have extensive experience administering and analyzing heart rhythm and heart imaging tests.
Cardiology testing can be performed at both University Health Lakewood Medical Center and University Health Truman Medical Center. Many of the tests are performed as outpatient procedures, so no stay is required.
Noninvasive heart tests
Diagnosing a heart problem doesn't always involve surgery or an invasive procedure. There are a number of noninvasive tests that can help your doctor learn more about how your heart is functioning. Here are five such tests.
Chest x-ray
What it does: A chest x-ray takes a picture of the heart, lungs and chest bones.
Why you might need it: An x-ray can be used to help assess symptoms (such as shortness of breath or chest pain) that may be caused by a problem with the heart or lungs. For example, it can show if the heart is enlarged or if there's fluid building up in the lungs due to a heart attack.
Computed tomography (CT) scan
What it does: A cardiac CT scan uses x-rays to make 3-D pictures of the heart.
Why you might need it: CT scans help evaluate the health of your arteries and can show things like tears, blockages caused by calcium deposits, inflammation and tumors.
Echocardiogram
What it does: This ultrasound test uses sound waves to create moving pictures of the heart.
Why you might need it: Echocardiography can show the heart's structures and how well they work. For example, the test can help your doctor learn more about abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias).
Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)
What it does: This test records the heart's electrical activity. It may be done in a medical office or your provider may have you wear a portable device (such as a Holter monitor) that records your heart's electrical activity during your regular routine.
Why you might need it: Electrocardiography can show if you have an arrhythmia. It can also determine if you've had a heart attack—or help predict a future heart attack.
Exercise stress test
What it does: A stress test looks at how the heart functions under an increased workload. The test monitors your heart function while you walk in place on a treadmill. Sometimes a radioactive tracer is injected into the bloodstream to help measure blood-flow into the heart muscle with imaging.
Why you might need it: A stress test can help diagnose coronary artery disease or show what's causing symptoms like chest pain. Your doctor may also use a stress test to show what level of exercise is safe for you or to help show if you're at risk for a heart attack or other problem.
Learn the anatomy of the heart
This interactive infographic will show you the different parts of the heart and what they do.
Sources: American Heart Association; Radiological Society of North America; UpToDate
Reviewed 1/20/2023
Sources
- American Heart Association. "Exercise Stress Test." https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/diagnosing-a-heart-attack/exercise-stress-test.
- American Heart Association. "Holter Monitor." https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/diagnosing-a-heart-attack/holter-monitor.
- American Heart Association. "Non-invasive tests and procedures." https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/diagnosing-a-heart-attack/noninvasive-tests-and-procedures.
- RadiologyInfo. "Cardiac (Heart) Screening." https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/screening-cardiac.
- RadiologyInfo. "Chest X-ray (Radiography)." https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/chestrad.
- UpToDate. "Ambulatory ECG Monitoring." https://www.uptodate.com/contents/ambulatory-ecg-monitoring.
An extensive array of heart tests
When you need to undergo heart testing, you may be a little nervous. Be sure to ask the technician any questions you may have about how the tests are done and why. Our caring and supportive staff will be with you throughout your testing, making sure you're safe and comfortable.
Most of these tests are available at both University Health Lakewood Medical Center and University Health Truman Medical Center, so you often can choose the location most convenient for you.
Tests available include:
- Ankle brachial index, which screens for peripheral vascular disease. (This test is only available at TMC HSD.)
- CT calcium scoring. This noninvasive heart scan measures the amount of calcified plaque in your coronary arteries. (This test is only available at University Health Truman Medical Center.)
- Echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to provide information about your heart's structure and how it's working.
- Electrocardiogram (EKG). This test monitors the electrical activity of your heart.
- Holter monitoring. This is a wearable monitor that provides a continuous EKG of your heart's activity throughout a 24-hour period.
- Nuclear stress testing, which uses a radioactive dye and imaging machine to show the blood flow to your heart at rest and during exertion. (This test is only available at University Health Truman Medical Center.)
- Stress testing, which evaluates how your heart performs during various levels of activity. If your condition permits, you'll walk on a treadmill to get your heart beating. If you can't walk on a treadmill, medication will be given to help speed your heart rate.
- Tilt table test. This test helps find out if fainting or dizziness is due to a heart issue.
- Transesophageal echocardiography, which uses sound waves to produce detailed pictures of your heart.
Learn more about cardiac testing
You'll need a doctor's referral to undergo any of these heart tests. To learn more, call University Health Truman Medical Center at 816.404.1225. Or call University Health Lakewood Medical Center at 816.404.9029.