Testing

Exercise Stress Test To see how much physical activity you can do and to check for arrhythmias during exercise, your doctor may ask you to walk up and down the hall, or exercise on a treadmill or bike. 

Cardiac Imaging X-rayCardiac CatheterizationCardiac Catherization Previous Next Chest X-rayChest X-rays can show your doctor if you have any fluid in your lungs that can be caused by heart failure. X-rays can also show changes to the size and shape of your heart.  Cardiac CatheterizationYour doctor may ask that you undergo a catheterization (or “cath”). A

Labs There are several blood tests doctors use to diagnose heart failure. Most patients have labs drawn at scheduled times. You may have labs drawn more often if your team feels that you need closer surveillance.  BNP (Brain Natriuretic Peptide)BNP is a hormone that is released from your heart and blood vessels when they are

EKG & Holter Monitor The EKG shows the electrical conduction through your heart. Sometimes small changes in the EKG can be a sign that a heart is getting sicker. Once in a while, your doctor will ask you to wear a Holter monitor, which is like a portable EKG that can monitor for arrhythmias happening

Office Visits VitalsYour vital signs are VITAL. Your heart rate and heart rhythm can tell you a lot about how your heart is working. A persistently fast heart rate can be a sign that the heart is getting sicker. In heart failure, your blood pressure needs to be just right. High blood pressure can be

Echocardiogram & Ejection Fraction Heart failure is often diagnosed using an echocardiogram (or echo). An echo is an ultrasound of the heart that shows how well the four chambers are working. One of the important numbers to determine the function of the heart is called an ejection fraction (or EF%). EF is a calculation of