Medical Tests for Diagnosis of a Heart Attack

As soon as a potential heart attack victim arrives at the hospital, medical staff should provide essential emergency care. Doctors also may conduct tests to make a complete diagnosis and determine the proper treatment. These tests include:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). This is a graphic record of the electrical activity of the heart as it contracts and relaxes. The EKG can detect abnormal heartbeats, some areas of damage, inadequate blood flow, and heart enlargement.
  
• Blood test. A blood test will be done routinely to check for enzymes or other substances that are released when cells begin to die. These are "markers" of the amount of damage to the heart.
  
• Nuclear scan. This test shows areas of the heart that lack blood flow and are damaged. It also can reveal problems with the heart’s pumping action. A small amount of radioactive material is injected into a vein, usually in the arm. A scanning camera positioned over the heart records whether the nuclear material is taken up by the heart muscle (healthy areas) or not (damaged areas). The camera also can evaluate how well the heart muscle pumps blood. This test can be done during both rest and exercise, to enhance the usefulness of its results.
  
• Coronary angiography (or arteriography). This test is used to check blockages and narrowed areas inside coronary arteries. A fine tube (catheter) is threaded through an artery of an arm or leg up into the heart. A dye that shows up on X ray is then injected into the blood vessel, and the vessels and heart are filmed as the heart pumps. The picture is called an angiogram or arteriogram.

Based on the test results, doctors should determine and then provide the appropriate course of medical treatment.

If you feel that you or a loved one has suffered because of failure to properly diagnose or treat a heart attack, please contact our office for a free consultation.

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