If you have been experiencing chest pain or shortness of breath, or if your family has a history of heart disease, visiting a cardiologist can ease your mind. By providing heart screening tests, they can help assess your condition and recommend the best course of action to improve your overall health. Below summarizes some of these tests and how they can help you. 

A Guide to Different Heart Screening Tests

1. Echocardiogram

This screening test uses sound waves to produce images of your heart, allowing your cardiologist to see how it beats and how blood moves through it. If your cardiologist suspects that your symptoms are due to a problem in your heart’s structure, they can use this test to determine any abnormalities in its valves, chambers, walls, and blood vessels. It can be performed either when you are at rest or during exercise. 

2. Electrocardiogram

Also referred to as ECG, this quick and painless test checks your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity. Electrodes connected to a machine will be attached to your chest for monitoring. Your cardiologist will measure how long electrical waves pass through your heart to determine if it has a normal or irregular rhythm. This test can determine if a heart attack has occurred or if there is muscle damage present. 

3. Stress Test

A cardiologist performs this test by monitoring the patient’s heart during treadmill or stationary bike exercise. Alongside its rate and rhythm, blood pressure and breathing are monitored to determine if adequate blood flow is supplied to the heart. If a patient cannot perform physical activities, special medications can be provided to recreate the same effects. 

After a cardiovascular surgery, this test can be performed to determine safe levels of exercise. This can also be beneficial if you want to ensure that starting an exercise program will be safe for you.

If you have been experiencing cardiovascular issues, an experienced cardiologist from Premier Cardiology Consultants can help. Serving Dothan, AL, and the surrounding areas, they offer health services that cover a wide range of cardiovascular conditions. Using state-of-the-art technology, you can rely on them to effectively diagnose and treat your heart condition. Schedule an appointment today by calling (334) 699-6396 or visit them online to learn more about their services.