Test and diagnosis of Cardiac Insufficiency

Electrocardiogram (ECG). Some stickers containing a small device, called an electrode, are placed on the patient’s chest, arms and legs. The electrodes record the heart’s electrical activity. 

Blood analysis. The analysis of different blood parameters (such as blood, cholesterol and hormone levels or kidney function) provides information about the degree of damage to the heart and other organs.

Chest X-ray. From a chest X-ray the doctor can determine whether the heart is enlarged, there is more calcium in the aortic artery than normal, there are any signs of lung disease, or if there is fluid on the lungs or in the pleural cavity as a result of heart failure.

Heart ultrasound (echocardiogram). An ultrasound of the heart reveals information about its shape, the size of its cavities, the condition of its valves, its movement and whether or not there is any liquid inside its enveloping membrane (the pericardium). 

Transoesophageal echocardiogram. A type of echocardiography where a probe is introduced through the mouth and down the oesophagus. Ultrasound waves and then emitted from within the rib cage. They are used to obtain more details about areas that were difficult to explore during the echocardiogram.

Cardiac catheterisation. This is an invasive test as it involves using a blood vessel to access the heart in order to study its anatomy, arteries and function.