Tests for your heart
Basic Tests
These are the first step in assessing your heart health. A 12-lead ECG records your heart’s electrical activity, helping detect rhythm problems or signs of strain. A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) uses ultrasound to visualize the heart’s structure and pumping function. Blood tests can check lipid levels and detect any heart muscle injury (troponin) or stretch (BNP) that may indicate heart failure. A Holter monitor can record your heart’s electrical activity over several days, and correlate this with any symptoms of concern.
Functional Tests
Functional tests evaluate how your heart performs under stress. An exercise test monitors your heart rhythm and blood pressure while you walk or run on a treadmill, or cycle on a stationary bike. This helps assess symptoms such as chest pain or breathlessness and can identify rhythm instability that may not appear at rest. It can also be combined with cardio-pulmonary assessment to provide a more detailed understanding of how your heart and lungs respond to exercise.
Advanced Imaging
For a detailed evaluation, Cardiac MRI (CMR) is the gold standard. It measures left ventricular size, wall thickness, and ejection fraction while providing detailed information about the heart tissue. CMR can detect inflammation, scarring, or areas of reduced blood supply, helping to clarify complex or unexplained heart problems.
In some cases, additional imaging can be helpful: a CT coronary angiogram precisely identifies any narrowed or blocked blood vessels, and a PET scan can assess areas of inflammation inside or around the heart, giving a more complete picture of heart health.
Clinical genetics
In certain cases, genetic testing can help explain heart conditions. A targeted cardiac panel examines specific genes that may be linked to inherited heart disease. This is especially useful when there is uncertainty about a diagnosis or if family members may be at risk. All testing is performed within our onsite Clinical Genetics Laboratory, ensuring fast and accurate results in a secure environment.