Coarctation of the aorta is often detected during a physical exam. Signs of the condition include a heart murmur, which is an abnormal whooshing sound heard through a stethoscope, or high blood pressure in the arms.
If your provider suspects coarctation, they may take additional steps to make a diagnosis, including using cardiac imaging. Advanced cardiac imaging studies allow doctors to see the structure and function of the heart. This helps them determine if a coarctation of the aorta is present and how it is impacting the heart’s function.
Your cardiologist will ask questions about your health history, any symptoms you may have and medications you take.
If not done already, your cardiologist will check the blood pressure in your arms and legs, take your pulse in your legs and listen to your heart.
During a cardiac catheterization, a thin tube called a catheter is maneuvered from an opening in the groin to the heart. The catheter can measure pressure and blood flow. Some types of heart problems can be repaired from within the blood vessels during a cardiac catheterization procedure.
Cardiac CT uses X-ray images taken from many angles to create a 3D view of your heart. Using cardiac CT, doctors can evaluate the heart valves’ structures and locate blockages that prevent the valves from opening or closing correctly.
MRI uses magnets to create detailed images of the heart’s structure and show blood flow and heart valve function. Using cardiac MRI, your physician can diagnose heart valve disease by evaluating leaky or narrowed valves.
A chest X-ray takes pictures of your heart, lungs and arteries and can reveal signs of heart disease. These signs can include enlarged areas or calcium deposits in your heart and fluid in your lungs.
This type of test records activity of the heart using high-frequency sound waves, or ultrasound. A technologist called a sonographer conducts this test by applying gel to your chest that makes it easier for sound waves to reach your heart. The sonographer will then wave a device called a transducer across your chest to send sound waves to your heart. The echo created by those waves is translated into images of your heart as it beats.
Providing information about your heart’s electrical activity, an electrocardiogram can help your provider understand your heart rate and whether you have an arrhythmia. Alternatively, your provider might ask you to wear a monitor for a day or two to record how well your heart’s circuitry is working.
