Testing for Heart Disease

To determine if you have heart disease, your doctor will probably begin by assessing your current health status, reviewing your medical history, and evaluating your risk factors. As part of a physical examination, your doctor will evaluate your heart health by checking your pulse, listening to your heart beat, and measuring your blood pressure. You'll be asked specific questions about symptoms you may be experiencing, health problems you've had in the past, and various aspects of your lifestyle and personal habits that may contribute to your risk for heart disease.

There are also a number of different tests that your doctor may perform. Click on the tests listed on the left to learn what they are and what information they can provide about your heart.