Common Heart Tests
Cardiac Investigations
A full suite of diagnostic tests available in-clinic for efficient, same-day cardiac assessment.
Introduction
Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective cardiac care. Dr MacDonald’s practice at Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre is equipped to perform a comprehensive range of cardiac investigations, many of which can be completed during a single clinic visit. This allows for rapid diagnosis and the prompt initiation of treatment where needed.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
A quick, painless recording of the heart’s electrical activity. An ECG can detect arrhythmias, evidence of previous heart attacks, and other electrical abnormalities. It is a standard first-line investigation in most cardiac assessments.
Echocardiography
An ultrasound scan of the heart that provides detailed images of the heart’s structure and function. It is used to assess the heart muscle, valves, and blood flow. Echocardiography is a key investigation for heart failure, valve disease, and cardiomyopathies.
Stress Echocardiography
An echocardiogram performed during exercise or pharmacological stress, used to assess how the heart performs under exertion. This can reveal areas of the heart muscle that do not receive adequate blood supply during activity, indicating possible coronary artery disease.
Exercise Treadmill Test
A test that monitors the heart’s electrical activity and blood pressure during graded exercise on a treadmill. It is used to assess exercise capacity, detect exercise-induced arrhythmias, and evaluate symptoms such as chest pain or breathlessness on exertion.
24-Hour ECG Holter Monitor
A portable device worn for 24 hours or longer that continuously records the heart’s rhythm. This is particularly useful for detecting intermittent arrhythmias or symptoms such as palpitations that may not be captured on a standard ECG.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring
A device worn for 24 hours that takes blood pressure readings at regular intervals throughout the day and night. This provides a more accurate assessment of blood pressure control than clinic measurements alone and can detect conditions such as white coat hypertension and nocturnal hypertension.
CT Coronary Angiography
A non-invasive scan that uses CT technology to produce detailed images of the coronary arteries. It can identify coronary artery plaque and narrowing without the need for a catheter-based procedure. It is also used for coronary calcium scoring, which quantifies the amount of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries as a marker of cardiovascular risk.
Cardiac MRI
The most detailed imaging technique available for assessing the heart muscle. Cardiac MRI provides information about heart structure, function, blood flow, and tissue characterisation. It is particularly valuable in the assessment of cardiomyopathies, myocarditis, and complex cardiac conditions. Dr MacDonald holds the highest level of accreditation in cardiovascular MRI from the Royal Brompton Hospital, London.
Blood Tests
A range of blood-based investigations used in cardiac assessment, including standard lipid profiles, advanced biomarkers (ApoB, Lipoprotein(a)), cardiac enzymes (troponin), BNP/NT-proBNP for heart failure assessment, thyroid function, renal function, HbA1c, and inflammatory markers.
Introduction
Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective cardiac care. Dr MacDonald’s practice at Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre is equipped to perform a comprehensive range of cardiac investigations, many of which can be completed during a single clinic visit. This allows for rapid diagnosis and the prompt initiation of treatment where needed.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
A quick, painless recording of the heart’s electrical activity. An ECG can detect arrhythmias, evidence of previous heart attacks, and other electrical abnormalities. It is a standard first-line investigation in most cardiac assessments.
Echocardiography
An ultrasound scan of the heart that provides detailed images of the heart’s structure and function. It is used to assess the heart muscle, valves, and blood flow. Echocardiography is a key investigation for heart failure, valve disease, and cardiomyopathies.
Stress Echocardiography
An echocardiogram performed during exercise or pharmacological stress, used to assess how the heart performs under exertion. This can reveal areas of the heart muscle that do not receive adequate blood supply during activity, indicating possible coronary artery disease.
Exercise Treadmill Test
A test that monitors the heart’s electrical activity and blood pressure during graded exercise on a treadmill. It is used to assess exercise capacity, detect exercise-induced arrhythmias, and evaluate symptoms such as chest pain or breathlessness on exertion.
24-Hour ECG Holter Monitor
A portable device worn for 24 hours or longer that continuously records the heart’s rhythm. This is particularly useful for detecting intermittent arrhythmias or symptoms such as palpitations that may not be captured on a standard ECG.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring
A device worn for 24 hours that takes blood pressure readings at regular intervals throughout the day and night. This provides a more accurate assessment of blood pressure control than clinic measurements alone and can detect conditions such as white coat hypertension and nocturnal hypertension.
CT Coronary Angiography
A non-invasive scan that uses CT technology to produce detailed images of the coronary arteries. It can identify coronary artery plaque and narrowing without the need for a catheter-based procedure. It is also used for coronary calcium scoring, which quantifies the amount of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries as a marker of cardiovascular risk.
Cardiac MRI
The most detailed imaging technique available for assessing the heart muscle. Cardiac MRI provides information about heart structure, function, blood flow, and tissue characterisation. It is particularly valuable in the assessment of cardiomyopathies, myocarditis, and complex cardiac conditions. Dr MacDonald holds the highest level of accreditation in cardiovascular MRI from the Royal Brompton Hospital, London.
Blood Tests
A range of blood-based investigations used in cardiac assessment, including standard lipid profiles, advanced biomarkers (ApoB, Lipoprotein(a)), cardiac enzymes (troponin), BNP/NT-proBNP for heart failure assessment, thyroid function, renal function, HbA1c, and inflammatory markers.