This scan shows how well blood is reaching the heart muscle through your coronary arteries. Thallium scan (myocardial perfusion scintigraphy) This 'exercise' ECG records how the heart responds to exercise.Ĭardiac CT uses a special X-ray machine, which moves around your body and takes detailed 3-D images of your heart. This stress test - or exercise tolerance test (ETT) or treadmill test - is similar to an ECG but records the activity of the heart as it works harder, for example while you’re walking on a treadmill. Then this can be assessed by the electrophysiologist or cardiologist. You’ll also be asked to record any symptoms. The ECG will be monitoring and will be able to record any abnormalities over the day. You wear this belt for 24 hours, as you go about your normal daily activities. In this test, electrodes are connected to a small box and attached to a belt. More about having an electrocardiogram 24-hour or ambulatory electrocardiogram The ECG is painless and takes around 5-10 minutes to perform. The ECG reflects what’s happening in different areas of the heart and helps identify any problems with the rhythm or rate of your heart.

More about having an echocardiogram ElectrocardiogramĪn electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.

how well the heart muscle is contracting and relaxing.

You’ll have jelly applied to your bare chest, and an experienced operator will move the probe around your chest to get good views of your heart. This is a painless procedure that is usually performed in hospital or in an outpatient clinic. It uses high frequency sound waves to create an image of your heart. Read more from the British Hyperternsion Society on home blood pressure testingīritish Heart Foundation have information on measuring your blood pressure at home EchocardiogramĪn echocardiogram - or 'echo' - is an ultrasound scan of the heart. This can be either by 24-hour ambulatory monitoring or by home monitoring. Sometimes your doctor may want you to monitor your blood pressure at home over a period of time. Tell the person taking your blood pressure about any prescribed medicines you’re taking.

You might be asked to sit quietly for at least five minutes beforehand. To prevent this when you get your BP taken, try to relax.

The 'white coat effect' is when your blood pressure rises at the thought of having your blood pressure taken. Your blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day, depending on what you’re doing. diastolic pressure (lower reading) – this records the pressure when the heart fills up with blood again.systolic pressure (higher reading) – this records the pressure within the blood vessels as the heart contracts and forces blood out into the arteries.Blood pressure is an important measurement that can be taken by your doctor, nurse or healthcare assistant.

Reference tool for cardiac stress test