Your primary physician may order a variety of tests if he suspects a heart failure diagnosis. It is better to receive a positive diagnosis earlier in order to find out how to resolve the issue. Also, both you and your doctor can effectively work together on how to manage your ailment for you to have a healthier, more active life.
What to discuss with your doctor:
In addition to getting a physical exam, some standard diagnostic tests include:
BLOOD TEST
Someone will take a sample of your blood to check your kidney and thyroid function. They will also examine the presence of a chemical called brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). The number of BNP helps your physician learn how well your heart is working.
CHEST X-RAY
It is a radiographic image of your heart and lungs. It also helps your doctor see if your heart is enlarged or have a fluid buildup.
Electrocardiogram
An electrocardiogram or more commonly known as EKG is used by physicians for minimally invasive technology to record and study the electrical activity of your heart. It can also detect heart rhythm irregularities which can determine if there is a positive diagnosis
Echocardiography
Echocardiography works through high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to evaluate the heart's function, more particularly to learn how well its chambers and valves are working. It can also be used to get an even closer look at the structures of the heart.
EJECTION FRACTION (EF) TEST
This type of test measures how much blood your heart pumps with each beat. Your physician will test both the left and right ventricles to see how well your heart is functioning. Based on your results, even if your EF is normal but you still experience symptoms, your doctor may still positively diagnose you.
MYOCARDIAL BIOPSY
In this diagnostic test, your physician inserts a tiny, flexible biopsy cord into a vein in your groin or neck. The cord is used to extract small pieces of the heart muscle for additional testing to diagnose heart muscle diseases that cause various heart related illnesses.
MULTIPLE-GATED ACQUISITION (MUGA) SCAN
The MUGA scan which is also referred as radionuclide ventriculography (RVG) or radionuclide angiography (RNA) scan, measures each chamber of the heart is working properly and if the heart muscle is receiving enough blood. This scan also recognizes if the heart has been damaged and which part of the heart is not functioning well. To perform it, a specialist injects a tiny amount of radioactive substance, called radionuclide, into the bloodstream by an intravenous line. This procedure makes it likely to take computer-generated pictures inside the heart while resting or exercise.
Your doctor will use your test results to learn whether you have heart issues, the level of severity which includes the type of failure as well as the class of the failure that you may be dealing with and decide the best treatments would be most effective.
To learn more about heart failure diagnosis and available treatments, call us at (619) 735-9581 or contact us by clicking the link.