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Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a serious and common problem in America. It is, as the name suggest, related to the heart and is mostly caused by poor lifestyle habits.

To check whether you may be at risk or may have coronary artery disease, your medical practitioner will conduct a series of coronary artery disease tests. The various tests for coronary artery disease include coronary angiography, coronary computed tomography angiogram, EKG, pharmacological stress test, radionuclide stress testing, stress echocardiography, and treadmill stress test. The common initial coronary artery disease screening tests include all of the above, barring a coronary angiography and a coronary computed tomography angiogram.

Diagnostic Tests For CAD

Diagnostic tests for CAD include the following.

• EKG/ECG: The first and most simple test is to conduct an electrocardiogram or EKG/ECG; this is done to look for signs of coronary artery disease. This test requires stressing the heart, but in a controlled environment with the help of electrodes. The test helps to determine how fast your heart beats and whether it is maintaining a normal rhythm. It also helps in finding out if any damage has been caused to your heart from a heart attack.
• Pharmacologic stress test: During this test, medicines like dobutamine or adenosine that stimulate the heart are administered to imitate the effects on the body during exercise. While the medication is administered carefully so that the heart rate and contractions of the heart muscle increases, a radionuclide imaging or echocardiography test is conducted at the same time. Pharmacological stress testing is often used for patients who have higher probability of suffering from CAD. These stress tests can spot the existence of blockages that are limiting the flow of blood and oxygen in the coronary arteries. This test is usually used for patients who find it difficult to exercise.
• Radionuclide stress testing: A radioactive isotope like cardiolite or thallium is injected into a patient's vein to make it possible to view the patient's heart on a special camera. Images while resting and during exercise are taken and then compared. This procedure is more expensive than normal tests and takes a lot of time, but the results are more accurate and help in diagnosing CAD.
• Stress echocardiography: An ultrasound is used to produce images of the heart while exercising and resting. This enables doctors to see the flow of blood through the heart and help them diagnose CAD. An abnormal heart rate, irregular heart rhythm, and increased blood pressure may be caused due to CAD. Shortness of breath during the test could be another indication of CAD.
• Treadmill stress test: This test is the most commonly used stress test for the heart where a patient is made to walk on a treadmill during which the heart rate, EKG, blood pressure, and heart rhythm are closely watched for any abnormalities.

CAD Blood Tests

Coronary artery disease blood tests are conducted to diagnose and/or confirm coronary artery disease. A suitable treatment plan is also based on these tests. Blood tests provide clues and a clear picture of the condition of the heart. Levels of apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B, fibrinogen, global risk score, high sensitivity C-Protein, LDL-associated PLA2, lipoprotein, myeloperoxidase, N-terminal pro-B type natiuretic peptide, and urine albumin or creatinine ratio are normally checked.

Higher levels of these in the blood are an indication that the patient is at an increased risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. Most tests will require you to fast before taking them, while others do not require you to do so. Your doctor should be able to suggest what test is most suitable for you.

References

• http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/heartdiseasesprevention.html
• http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/what_you_can_do.htm
• http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/stress/
• http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/cvd/chdprovider.htm