Early Detection of Coronary Artery Disease: Symptoms & Tests

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. However, there are a number of tests and procedures that can detect the early stages of this disease and effectively treat it.

Things You'll Need

• Physician

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Instructions

Detecting Heart Disease

• 1

  Get a yearly physical. Receiving a physical on a consistent basis will ensure that you are healthy and will remain so. A consistent physical gives your doctor the best chance of detecting any heart problems and monitoring them safely.

• 2

  Receive an electrocardiogram test. This simple test records the electrical activity of the heart and can detect any irregular rhythms of the heart or any damage to the heart muscle.

• 3

  Receive a stress test. This test monitors blood pressure, the heart, and breathing while the patient walks or runs on a treadmill. Any irregularities of the heart will show up during this test.

• 4

  Receive cardiac catheterization. In this test, a colored agent is injected into the bloodstream so X-rays can follow the flow of blood in the heart. Any blockage or irregularity in blood flow will be discovered.

• 5

  Go immediately to your doctor if you suspect heart disease and experience any of the following symptoms: severe chest pain, shortness of breath, pain radiating from the chest to the jaw, or unusual sweating.