Chest Pain Diagnostic Tests - University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute

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Diagnostic Tests

Electrocardiogram (ECG): Records the electrical activity of the heart. Electrodes are placed/attached to your skin and a machine records and prints out the heart rate and heart rhythm.
Stress tests: Measures how the heart reacts to physical activity. Typically a person is asked to walk on a treadmill while hooked up to an ECG machine. If a person has physical limitations, the test can be performed using an IV drug which mimics physical activity.
Blood tests: Tests for specific enzyme levels in the blood which can point out potential damage to the heart.
Chest x-ray: Displays the size and shape of the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels.
Nuclear scan: Shows how blood flows through the heart and lungs. The test is very helpful in locating the narrowing of blood vessels.
Angiogram (coronary catheterization): Helps identify narrowed or blocked arteries leading to the heart.
EBCT (electron beam computerized tomography): Scans the arteries for signs that calcium/plaque is building up and blocking the blood flow to the heart.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): Uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create cross-sectional images of your body.
Echocardiogram: Produces a video of the heart using sound waves.
Endoscopy: Allows a physician to check the esophagus and stomach for problems via a small camera which is guided down the throat

For more details on the University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center Chest Pain Center or for a physician referral, please call 440-285-7757.