Diagnosis

Your heart doctor will perform a series of tests to determine your diagnosis. You will probably have an electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) test, exercise stress test, or cardiac angiogram to determine whether or not you have coronary heart disease (CAD).

An electrocardiogram measures your heart’s electrical activity and may show whether your heart has been damaged by a heart attack.

A stress test records your heart’s electrical activity while you are exercising to reveal heart-related problems.

A coronary angiogram can show if there are any blockages and/or narrowing. 

A special dye is injected into the coronary arteries so that they can be seen in an X-ray. The results will help your doctor decide how to treat you

If you have CAD, your doctor will refer you to an interventional cardiologist. This is a doctor who specializes in higher-level treatment, and who will decide which treatment is best for you.

Referral

If you are diagnosed with CAD, it is important to talk to your doctor to decide which treatment will be best for you. Fill out a discussion guide and take it to your appointment with your cardiologist to discuss the right treatment for you.