Cardiac testing procedures (1)
- 1. by Debbie CornishCardiac Testing Procdures
- 2. 3 types of cardiac testing proceduresCardiac enzymes (CK, T, LDH)Doppler ultrasoundHolter Monitor
- 3. Blood tests used to determine the level of specific heart muscle enzymes. Cardiac proteins are released into the bloodstream when heart damage occurs, such as a myocardial infarction (MI). Measuring these enzymes is an important tool to diagnose heart disease.cardiac enzymes
- 4. cardiac enzymesCK or CPK (creatnine phosphokinase)-An enzyme released into the bloodstream 4-6 hours after damage to the heart occurs. Elevated levels usually (but not always) indicate heart muscle damage.T (toponin)-An enzyme released into the bloodstream 2-6 hours after heart cell damage occurs. Because it can detect damage earlier, it is a more reliable predictor of heart cell damage.LDH (lactic acid dehydrogenase)-An enzyme that helps produce energy. It is present in almost all types of the body. Many diseases can cause an increase in LDH levels.
- 5. doppler ultrasoundA noninvasive test that can measure blood flow and blood pressure by bouncing high-frequency sound waves off circulating red blood cells.
- 6. Doppler studies can help detect these conditionsblood clotspoorly functioning leg vein valves heart valve defects and congenital heart diseasearterial occlusion (blocked arteries)PAD (peripheral artery disease)-a decreased circulation of blood in the legsaneurysmsnarrowing of an artery (example: carotid artery stenosis)
- 8. Holter monitorsA machine worn continuously to record the heart rhythyms and electrical activity of the heart. The person wearing it should keep a diary of all activity, and the interpreting doctor compares the abnormal holter activity to what the person related they did.
- 10. Holter monitors may be used to diagnose these conditionsAtrial fibrillation/flutterPalpitationsParoxysmal supraventricular tachycardiaReasons for syncope (fainting)Slow heart rate (bradycardia)ventricular tachycardia