Cardiac Diagnostic Testing and Imaging Cardiac diagnostic testing and imaging uses advanced technologies to provide insight into your heart and blood vessels and help your doctor make a diagnosis or rule out problems. All studies require a referral from your cardiologist or primary care physician. You may be referred for one or more diagnostic exams.

Abdominal Vascular Ultrasound An abdominal vascular ultrasound is a diagnostic test that uses high-frequency sound waves to evaluate the aorta, the main artery in the abdomen, and other arteries that deliver blood to the major organs in the body. Learn More: Visit our online health library for information about conditions that may require an abdominal vascular ultrasound. Mesenteric Ischemia Renal Vascular Disease Before Your Procedure Expand Content Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time.

Angiography/Arteriography Angiography, also known as arteriography, is a diagnostic imaging technique used to examine the arteries for narrowing or blockage of the vessels and other potential problems. Each angiogram is tailored to the individual patient and organs of concern – for example, legs for peripheral arterial disease, kidneys for hypertension or the heart for cardiac disease. Why might I need an angiogram?

Cardiac CT Cardiac CT is a heart-imaging procedure that uses a powerful and specialized X-ray machine with a computer to create 3-D pictures of the heart's anatomy, coronary circulation, and vessels. It can also determine how much calcium is in the heart’s arteries, as calcium is a marker for coronary artery disease. Inova offers a few different types of CT Scans. Your specialist will recommend the type you need.

Cardiac Monitors Several different types of cardiac monitors are helpful in diagnosing heart conditions, especially rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation. Cardiac Event Monitor Expand Content Event monitors are portable monitors that record your heart's electrical activity and assess abnormal heart rhythms. They are helpful when symptoms are infrequent and need monitoring, up to 30 days. Monitors are attached to the chest using a sticky patch that allows you to continue your normal activities.

Cardiac MRI Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a precise and advanced imaging tool that provides high-resolution images of the heart without radiation.

Carotid Duplex Ultrasound Carotid duplex ultrasound is a diagnostic test that uses high-frequency sound waves to evaluate the carotid arteries in the neck to assess occlusion (blockage) or stenosis (narrowing) of the carotid arteries and branches. Learn More Visit our online health library for more information about carotid duplex ultrasound and related conditions.

Electrocardiogram (EKG) An electrocardiogram is a cardiac noninvasive diagnostic test that records the electrical activity in all areas of the heart, providing your physician with information about: Your heart rate and heart rhythm The presence of heart damage after a heart attack Inadequate blood and oxygen supply to the heart Abnormalities of the structure of the heart (for example, an enlarged heart) Learn More about Electrocardiograms

Electrocardiogram (EKG) Stress Test An electrocardiogram stress test, known as an exercise stress test is a measurement of the electrical activity of the heart. The physician places electrodes on the chest, arms, or legs, and the patient runs on a treadmill or pedals a bike. The oxygen demand on the heart increases as the heart rate and blood pressure rise. During the test, a graphic representation, or tracing, of the electrical activity is recorded. Changes in this tracing compared to the normal tracing can help to diagnose or rule out heart-related conditions. Watch Video

Electrophysiology (EP) Study Electrical impulses coordinate heart contraction in a special sequence that keeps blood flowing the way it should. This electrical activation stimulates the heart pumping function and creates the heart beat and pulse. An electrophysiological study (EP study) is a test to evaluate your heart's electrical system and check for abnormal heart rhythms.