Adults
CHD can offer a range of outpatient investigations and consultation services, for adults, summarised below. These tests are carried out by appropriately qualified and trained physiologists and consultant cardiologists.
Resting Electrocardiogram (ECG)
A basic test that is used to check your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity. An ECG can be used alongside other tests to help diagnose and monitor conditions of the heart. An ECG can also be used to investigate symptoms of a potential heart problem such as chest pain, palpitations, dizziness and shortness of breath.An ECG can also help detect the following:
- Arrhythmias
- Coronary heart disease
- Heart attacks
- Cardiomyopathy
Ambulatory / Holter Monitoring
When potential heart problems are unable to be diagnosed with a resting ECG, a person can be fitted with a holter monitor – a continuous tape recording of a person’s ECG. This can be fitted for 24 hours up to seven days, in order to determine the most accurate result.
Echocardiogram (echo or ultrasound)
This is a scan used to look at the heart and nearby blood vessels. An ecocardiogram can help diagnose and monitor certain heart conditions by checking the structure of the heart and surrounding blood vessels, analysing how blood flows through them, and assessment the pumping chambers of the heart.An echocardiogram can help detect the following:
- Damage from a heart attack
- Heart failure
- Congenital heart diease
- Problems with the heart valves
- Cardiomyopathy
- Endocarditis
24 Hour Blood Pressure Monitoring
Similar to holter monitoring, 24 hour blood pressure monitoring measured your blood pressure over 24 hours as you move around, living your normal daily life. By measuring blood pressure at regular intervals over 24 hours, it enables us to understand how your blood pressure changes throughout the day.
Tilt testing is used to monitor your blood pressure and heart rhythm when you are lying down or standing up. Tilt tests are used to identify symptoms and reach diagnosis. Symptoms can include fainting, dizziness or severe light headaches, which may be due to a drop in your blood pressure or heart rate.
An exercise stress test gathers information about how your heart works during physical activity to reveal problems within your heart that might not be noticeable otherwise. This will involve walking on a treadmill while your heart rhythm, blood pressure and breathing are monitored. Stress testing may be recommended if there is suspected coronary artery disease or an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) as well as used to guide your treatment if you have already been diagnosed with a heart condition.
For more information on each of these tests, including FAQs, please see our cardiac testing fact sheets, downloadable below.
CHD TESTING FACT SHEET – DOWNLOAD HERE
