5. CT scan: An X-ray imaging technique that uses a computer to produce cross-sectional images of your heart. Also referred to as cardiac computed tomography, computerized axial tomography, or CAT scan, it can be used to examine heart and blood vessels for problems. It’s also used to identify whether blood vessels in the brain have been affected by stroke.

Reasons for the test:

Asess the structure of the heart

• Determine if blockages are present in the coronary arteries

6. Exercise cardiac stress test: Also called an exercise tolerance test (ETT), this test shows whether your heart’s blood supply is sufficient and if your heart rhythm is normal during exercise on a treadmill or stationary bicycle. The test monitors your level of tiredness, heart rate, breathing, blood pressure and heart activity while exercising. This test may be done in combination with nuclear imaging or echocardiography.

Reasons for the test:

• Determine the cause of chest pain, shortness of breath and weakness
• Assess the health of the heart
• Assess safety of exercise
• Identify heart rhythm changes with activity
• Find evidence of inadequate blood flow to the heart muscle during exercise

Reference: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/

Image credit:

• https://medlineplus.gov/
• https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ergospirometry_laboratory.jpg : Cosmed, CC BY-SA3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons