The cardiac/heart evaluation or cardiovascular screening tests are known as comprehensive heart checkup tests. These tests are a series of procedures performed to assess and evaluate the health and function of the heart and its vessels. Purpose of the comprehensive heart checkup is to keep check and to identify any potential heart problems or the risks that could cause any heart problem.
A Comprehensive Heart Check Up Includes the Series
- physical examination– Physical checkup stats by your history taking, after the relevant details have been taken, your doctor/healthcare provider starts checking your blood pressure, pulse rate, and other vitals
- Blood tests– Blood tests can give a view of various substances present in your blood such as the cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which can be indicative of potential heart disease.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)- The electrical activity of your heart is measured and recorded by this procedure. It can be helpful in determining and detecting a wide range of heart conditions.
- 2D EchoCardiogram- This is a type of ultrasound test it uses sound waves to produce 2D images of the heart. This test can help to assess heart size, shape and functioning.
- Stress Test (TMT)- This test accesses hearts functioning while you are asked to talk/run on a treadmill. While you are on the treadmill performing physical activity, the doctor records and monitors your heart and blood vessels functioning.
- Coronary Angiography– This test produces clear images of the heart and its arteries.it involves injecting a radioactive contrast dye into your heart/coronary arteries. This test is capable of detecting any blockages or narrowings in the arteries that could cause any heart problems
What is a Stress Test?
A Stress test is also called a TMT test- treadmill test. This test helps your doctor to access and evaluate your heart’s health status. It can tell about the amount of stress your heart can handle. This test involves you walking or running on the treadmill while you are monitored. During the treadmill test, you are connected to an ECG machine which measures your heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen level etc. Your doctor increases the intensity of exercise while monitoring to look for the signs and symptoms which can indicate heart conditions.
Uses of TMT Test
TMT test can be used to identify reasons various conditions of heart such as-
- Irregular heart beat
- Narrowed arteries such as in coronary angiogram
- For symptoms such as chest pain and difficulty breathing which can be related to heart problems
- It can tell how hard you should exercise to avoid heart problems while you are in cardiac rehabilitation.
- To monitor if your heart treatment is working.
It can be used-
- For cardiovascular diseases detection.
- It can tell cardiomyopathy with hypertrophy.
- For congenital heart disease detection.
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) detection.
How to Prepare for a TMT Test?
- You should tell your doctor if you are taking any medications already like vitamins, herbs etc. you will not be asked to stop medication unless it can adversely affect you.
- You will be asked not to drink, eat, smoke or consume caffeine for at least 2-5 hours before the test.
- You should wear comfortable loose clothes, and comfortable walking shoes. Jogging clothes and tennis shoes can be a good choice.
What Are Risks of TMT Test
Treadmill test is considered safe while performed under a safe and controlled environment. It is undertaken by a medical expert. However there are some dangers that can happen occasionally-
- Chest pain
- Feeling dizzy or fainting
- Irregular heartbeat
- Sometimes heart attack might occur
Your screening before conducting a stress test stands important in order to minimise certain risks. If you already have certain coronary heart disease you are not encouraged to get stress tests done.
