Cardiac Diseases See Heart Diseases Diagnosis 

Exactly when do  you go from having risk factors to having  heart disease? These links take  you to information on the  tests a doctor uses to diagnose heart disease. 

Diagnosis  

Heart Disease Diagnosis 
The first step  is getting a doctor's exam. Here's a description of what the  doctor will do. 

Tests  
The Basics of EKG 
Whether  you spell it EKG or ECG, it's an electrocardiogram. Learn the basics here. 

Chest X-Ray 
Why get a chest X-ray? What happens? Click here  for quick answers. 

Stress Test 
Does  your heart respond well to exertion? That's what  a stress test looks for. Here's a straightforward description, including how to prepare for a stress test. 

Tilt Table Test 
The head-up tilt table test  is used to help find the cause of fainting spells. Here's what you need to know. 

Echocardiogram  
There are several variations on the echocardiogram, or "echo," as doctors call it. Learn about these ultrasound-like tests  of the heart -- and find out what  to expect -- here. 

Cardiac Catheterization 
Cardiac catheterization --  also called  a coronary angiogram -- means running  a catheter into your heart. It's done to help doctors see what's going on in there,  and whether they need to operate. Here's where to learn about it. 

Electrophysiology Test 
Electrophysiology --  the EP test -- takes measurements  of your  heart rhythm -- recording  the electrical activity and pathways  of your heart. Start preparing for it by clicking here. 

CT Heart Scan 
Computed tomography (CT scan)  of the heart can visualize  your heart’s anatomy. Calcium-score heart scan and coronary CT angiography are just a few types used  to diagnose heart disease. 

Myocardial Biopsy 
A myocardial biopsy is when  a doctor uses  a special catheter to remove  a piece  of your heart tissue for examination. Click here to learn why it's done. 

Heart MRI 
A heart MRI is a great way for doctors to get a  look -- from  the outside -- at how your heart is working. Read about  it here. 

Pericardiocentesis  
Pericardiocentesis -- also called a pericardial tap -- means using a needle to get a sample of the fluid in the sac surrounding the heart. Here's what you need to know.