How do physicians determine whether surgery is required?
In order to diagnose and determine treatment for your particular heart disease, your doctor will obtain a complete medical history, perform a thorough physical exam and order any or all of the following special diagnostic tests: • Chest x-rays – provides information about the size of your heart and its four chambers. • Electrocardiogram (ECG) – records the changes in electrical activity that occurs during your heartbeat. • Echocardiogram (Echo) – uses ultrasound to examine and measure the structure of your heart. An echo demonstrates performance of the heart valves and provides information on heart muscle function. • Stress Test – records your heart’s electrical patterns while you exercise or are stressed by drugs. • Nuclear Scan – helps determine heart function. A small amount of radioactive material is injected into a vein, and is temporarily absorbed by the parts of your heart that are not receiving enough blood flow. • Cardiac MRI – looks at the size, shape, and thickness of the he
