If you’re having symptoms that may be related to cardiomyopathy, your medical provider will take several steps to confirm a diagnosis.
Your provider’s first step in diagnosing your heart condition is taking your history, followed by a physical exam. The purpose is to learn about your symptoms and overall health. During your visit, expect your provider to do the following:
- Discuss your medical history and current medical conditions.
- Examine your body, including your abdomen, eyes and ears, feet and ankles, neck, nose and mouth, and skin.
- Listen to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope.
- Check your blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels.
Blood tests, a common part of a medical exam, are tests that help doctors diagnose medical conditions. Blood tests can be used to check your overall health, and they can alert your doctor to changes occurring within your body.
During most blood tests, a healthcare provider inserts a needle into your arm at your elbow. The blood flows through the needle and into a tube, which is sealed and evaluated in a lab.
A blood test usually takes less than 15 minutes.
An echocardiogram (echo) uses ultrasound technology, or sound waves, to capture an image of your heart’s structure.
During the echocardiogram, your technologist will place a wand on the skin of your chest above your heart. Sound waves from the wand bounce off your heart, creating an image of your heart’s chambers and valves.
An echocardiogram is an outpatient test that takes less than an hour. You can return home as soon as the test is completed.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a type of imaging that captures highly detailed images of the muscles, organs, soft tissues and other structures inside your body, including the heart.
During this test, you’ll lie on a table that slides inside the MRI machine. As you lie in the MRI machine, magnets and radio waves create images of your heart and arteries, showing how efficiently the heart pumps blood. In some cases, you may receive contrast dye during the exam.
An MRI test is an outpatient procedure. In most cases, an MRI takes between 30 minutes and an hour. You can return home after your test is complete.
An exercise stress test shows how well your heart functions during physical activity. The test shows whether your level of exertion – or effort – reduces blood flow to the heart. During the test, you walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bicycle while connected to heart monitoring equipment. You can resume regular activities as soon as this test is completed.
Coronary angiography, also called a coronary angiogram, is a test that evaluates your coronary arteries to determine if a narrowing or blockage is present.
A coronary angiogram is performed in the cardiac catheterization lab. You will receive sedation to help you relax. Depending on your health and the reason for your angiogram, you may be awake or you may receive general anesthesia so you’re completely asleep.
Your provider makes a small incision in your groin or wrist. A catheter is then inserted into the incision. This flexible tube is guided to the heart, and then a special dye is released from the tube. The contrast dye spreads through your heart and blood vessels. X-ray pictures then highlight blocked arteries causing your symptoms.
If you have a blockage, your doctor may choose to treat it right away. This may be done by inflating a balloon on the end of the catheter to expand the artery and remove the blockage. During this procedure, known as angioplasty, a mesh tube called a stent is often placed to help the artery stay open.
Depending on your condition, you might be able to go home the same day as your coronary angiogram, or you might need to stay in the hospital longer.
Right heart catheterization is a procedure that uses a catheter to monitor heart function, blood flow and pressure in the heart and lungs. This procedure is also known as pulmonary artery catheterization.
A right heart catheterization is most often performed in the cardiac catheterization lab. You will receive sedation to help you relax. Most patients are awake during this test.
Your provider makes a small incision in your groin or neck and inserts a catheter into the veins. Using X-ray guidance, the catheter is guided through the heart and measures blood flow and pressure on the right side of your heart and into your lungs.
You will remain in the hospital for a few hours after right heart catheterization. Most patients can go home the same day.
During a heart biopsy, a small sample of heart tissue is removed and examined under a microscope.
The biopsy procedure may be done on an outpatient basis and takes about one hour. Or it can be done during a hospital stay. Before the biopsy begins, the patient gets a sedative to help them relax and an anesthetic to numb the site. During the biopsy, a small, flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel. The catheter is then woven up to the heart, guided by real-time images of the body.
Once the catheter reaches the heart, a small device is inserted through the catheter and used to cut off and retrieve tiny tissue samples from the lining of the heart muscle. Once the device and the catheter are removed, a small pressure bandage is applied over the insertion site to stop bleeding.
You should avoid strenuous activities for 24 hours after a heart biopsy. Results from the biopsy are typically available within 24 to 48 hours.
