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A coronary angiogram is a special X-ray test. It’s done to find out if your coronary arteries are blocked or narrowed, where and by how much. An angiogram an help your doctor see if you need treatment such as angioplasty or stent, coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) or medical therapy.

A stress test, sometimes called a treadmill test or exercise test, helps a doctor find out how well your heart handles work. As your body works harder during the test, it requires more oxygen, so the heart must pump more blood. The test can show if the blood supply is reduced in the arteries that supply the heart. It also helps doctors know the kind and level of exercise appropriate for a patient. A person taking the test is hooked up to equipment to monitor the heart, walks slowly in place on a treadmill. Then the speed is increased for a faster pace and the treadmill is tilted to produce the effect of going up a small hill. Afterwards will sit or lie down to have their heart and blood pressure checked.

Echocardiography, also called an echo test or heart ultrasound,is a test that takes “moving pictures” of the heart with sound waves. An echo uses sound waves to create pictures of your heart’s chambers, valves, walls and the blood vessels (aorta, arteries, veins) attached to your heart. A probe called a transducer is passed over your chest. The probe produces sound waves that bounce off your heart and “echo” back to the probe. These waves are changed into pictures viewed on a video monitor. Your doctor may use an echo test to look at your heart’s structure and check how well your heart functions. The test helps your doctor find out: The size and shape of your heart, and the size, thickness and movement of your heart’s walls. How your heart moves. The heart’s pumping strength. If the heart valves are working correctly. If blood is leaking backwards through your heart valves (regurgitation). If the heart valves are too narrow (stenosis). If there is a tumor or infectious growth around your heart valves.