Cardiodiagnostics

Common heart tests, explained

An electrocardiogram (EKG) records your heart's electrical activity through small stickers on your chest — it's quick, painless, and often the first test ordered. An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart: a technologist moves a small wand over your chest to create moving pictures of the heart's chambers and valves, showing how well it pumps. A stress test looks at how your heart performs during exercise, usually on a treadmill; a nuclear stress test adds imaging with a small, safe tracer to show blood flow to the heart muscle. If your rhythm needs watching over time, a wearable monitor records your heartbeat for days or weeks as you go about normal life.

Advanced imaging: coronary CT angiogram

A coronary CT angiogram (CTA) is a noninvasive scan that produces detailed pictures of the arteries that supply your heart, helping your cardiologist see narrowing or early plaque without a procedure. It can be a helpful next step when symptoms or risk factors need a closer look.

Cardiac catheterization

When more detail or treatment is needed, cardiac catheterization gives a direct look at the heart's arteries. A thin, flexible tube is guided to the heart through a blood vessel, usually in the wrist or groin, with numbing medicine and light sedation. It's performed in our catheterization lab and, in many cases, blockages found during the test can be treated during the same procedure.

How to prepare

Your care team gives instructions specific to your test — common ones include bringing a list of your medications, avoiding caffeine before a stress test, and wearing comfortable shoes and clothing you can move in. If anything is unclear, call before your appointment; a quick question beats a rescheduled test. Existing patients can message the team anytime through MyChart.