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Diagnostic Testing for Heart and Vascular

Diagnostic Testing for Heart and Vascular

Early answers make a big difference. It’s why knowing your diagnosis early means you can take steps to protect your heart health.

Protecting Your Heart Health

Early answers make a big difference. It’s why knowing your diagnosis early means you can take steps to protect your heart health. At Elliot Heart and Vascular Center, we offer a full range of advanced cardiac diagnostic testing and cardiovascular diagnostics—such as echocardiograms, stress tests, and vascular imaging—to help detect, monitor, and manage heart and vascular conditions. If you need diagnostic testing to check your heart health or for potential heart conditions, we’re here to help—with locations in Manchester and southern New Hampshire. 

Our team combines leading-edge technology with compassionate, expert care to deliver accurate results and guide personalized treatment plans tailored to your condition. Whether you need routine heart screening or specialized cardiac imaging, we are here to support your heart health every step of the way. 

Diagnostic Testing We Provide

Click on each of the tests below to learn more about why its done, how long it takes, what you can expect to experience, and what specific test results may show. 

An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is one of the most common and essential heart tests. It records the electrical signals that control your heartbeat, helping doctors quickly identify issues such as irregular rhythms (arrhythmias), signs of a previous heart attack, or other abnormalities that may affect heart function. 

Why It’s Done: 
Your provider may recommend an EKG if you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or palpitations. It’s also used to monitor heart health during routine checkups, before surgery, or when starting certain medications. 

What to Expect: 

  • Duration: Typically 5–10 minutes 
  • Experience: The test is completely non-invasive and painless. Small sensors (electrodes) are placed on your chest, arms, and legs to capture your heart’s electrical activity while you rest comfortably. 

What Your Results May Show: 
An EKG can reveal: 

  • Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) 
  • Evidence of a previous heart attack 
  • Signs of poor blood flow to the heart 
  • Abnormalities in heart size or structure 

Echocardiography uses ultrasound technology to create detailed images of your heart’s structure and function. It helps doctors evaluate how well your heart pumps blood, check for valve problems, and detect conditions such as heart failure or congenital defects. TEE is the standard, non-invasive approach using a probe on your chest. 

Why It’s Done: 
Your provider may recommend echocardiography if you have symptoms like shortness of breath, swelling, chest pain, or irregular heartbeats. It’s also used to monitor known heart conditions or guide treatment decisions. 

What to Expect: 

  • Duration: Typically 30–60 minutes 
  • Experience: TTE is painless and non-invasive, performed while you lie comfortably as a technician moves a small probe over your chest.  

What Your Results May Show: 
An echocardiogram can reveal: 

  • How well your heart pumps blood 
  • Valve problems (narrowing or leakage) 
  • Signs of heart failure or structural abnormalities 
  • Blood clots or infections affecting the heart 

Echocardiography uses ultrasound technology to create detailed images of your heart’s structure and function. It helps doctors evaluate how well your heart pumps blood, check for valve problems, and detect conditions such as heart failure or congenital defects. A TEE provides more detailed imaging by placing a probe in the esophagus, delivering clearer views of the heart’s structure. 

Why It’s Done: 
Your provider may recommend echocardiography if you have symptoms like shortness of breath, swelling, chest pain, or irregular heartbeats. It’s also used to monitor known heart conditions or guide treatment decisions. 

What to Expect: 

  • Duration: Typically 30–60 minutes 
  • Experience: TEE involves mild sedation and passing a probe down the esophagus for clearer images. 

What Your Results May Show: 
An echocardiogram can reveal: 

  • How well your heart pumps blood 
  • Valve problems (narrowing or leakage) 
  • Signs of heart failure or structural abnormalities 
  • Blood clots or infections affecting the heart 

Stress testing evaluates how your heart performs under physical stress or medication-induced stress. This test helps doctors identify problems with blood flow to the heart, detect coronary artery disease, and assess overall heart function during exertion. 

Why It’s Done: 
Your provider may recommend a stress test if you have symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue during activity. It’s also used to monitor heart health after a cardiac event or before starting an exercise program. 

What to Expect: 

  • Duration: Typically 30–60 minutes 
  • Experience: Most stress tests involve walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bike while your heart rhythm, blood pressure, and breathing are monitored. If you cannot exercise, medication may be used to mimic the effects of physical activity. The test is generally safe and well-tolerated. 

What Your Results May Show: 
A stress test can reveal: 

  • Reduced blood flow to the heart (possible coronary artery disease) 
  • Abnormal heart rhythms during exertion 
  • How well your heart responds to stress 
  • Effectiveness of current treatments or medications 

Nuclear cardiology uses advanced imaging to assess both blood flow to the heart and heart function. This test involves injecting a very small amount of a safe, radioactive tracer that highlights areas of the heart during imaging. The amount used is extremely low and considered safe, with no significant risk to your health.  

Why It’s Done: 
Your provider may recommend nuclear imaging if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or risk factors for heart disease. It’s often combined with stress testing for more detailed results. 

What to Expect: 

  • Duration: 1-2 hours (including imaging and stress portion) 
  • Experience: After the tracer is injected, special cameras capture detailed images of your heart at rest and during stress (exercise or medication-induced). The test is non-invasive and well-tolerated.  

What Your Results May Show: 
Nuclear cardiology can reveal: 

  • Areas of reduced blood flow to the heart  
  • Evidence of previous heart damage  
  • How well your heart pumps blood under stress  
  • Overall heart function and perfusion 

Event monitors record your heart’s electrical activity over an extended period, helping detect irregular rhythms that may not appear during a standard EKG. 

Why It’s Done: 
Your provider may recommend monitoring if you have unexplained fainting, palpitations, or suspected arrhythmias. 

What to Expect: 

  • Duration: Holter monitors typically record for 24–48 hours; event monitors can be worn for weeks. 
  • Experience: You’ll wear a small, portable device connected to electrodes on your chest while you go about your normal activities. The test is painless and allows you to continue daily routines. 

What Your Results May Show: 
Monitoring can reveal: 

  • Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)  
  • Heart rate changes during daily activities  
  • Correlation between symptoms and heart activity 
  • Shape 

This test measures your blood pressure continuously over 24 hours to detect patterns and confirm hypertension. It provides a more accurate picture than a single reading in the office. 

Why It’s Done: 
Your provider may recommend this test to diagnose high blood pressure and evaluate treatment effectiveness. 

What to Expect: 

  • Duration: 48 hours 
  • Experience: You’ll wear a small cuff and monitor that automatically records blood pressure at regular intervals while you go about your day. 

What Your Results May Show: 
Monitoring can reveal: 

  • Average blood pressure over 24 hours 
  • Daytime vs. nighttime blood pressure patterns 
  • Effectiveness of blood pressure medications 

Cardiac CT uses advanced imaging technology to create detailed pictures of your heart and blood vessels. It helps doctors detect coronary artery disease, measure calcium buildup in arteries, and evaluate heart anatomy for planning treatments or procedures. 

Why It’s Done: 
Your provider may recommend a cardiac CT if you have symptoms of heart disease, risk factors like high cholesterol or family history, or if you need precise imaging before procedures such as valve repair or stent placement. 

What to Expect: 

  • Duration: Typically 15–30 minutes 
  • Experience: You’ll lie on a table that moves through a CT scanner while images are taken. A contrast dye may be used to highlight blood vessels. The test is painless and non-invasive, though you may feel a brief warm sensation if contrast is given. 

What Your Results May Show: 
A cardiac CT can reveal: 

  • Calcium buildup in coronary arteries (calcium scoring) 
  • Narrowing or blockages in blood vessels 
  • Heart structure and function details 
  • Information for planning procedures like TAVR or stent placement 

Cardiac MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) uses powerful magnets and radio waves - not radiation - to create highly detailed images of your heart and blood vessels. This advanced test provides information about heart structure, function, and tissue health that other imaging methods may not reveal. 

Why It’s Done: 
Your provider may recommend a cardiac MRI to evaluate heart muscle damage after a heart attack, detect inflammation or scarring, assess congenital heart defects, or plan complex procedures. It’s often used when precise imaging is critical for diagnosis and treatment. 

What to Expect: 

  • Duration: Typically 30–60 minutes 
  • Experience: You’ll lie on a table that slides into a large MRI scanner. The test is non-invasive and painless, but you’ll need to remain still while images are taken. Sometimes a contrast agent is used to enhance image clarity. The scanner makes loud tapping sounds, but ear protection is provided for comfort. 

What Your Results May Show: 
A cardiac MRI can reveal: 

  • Heart muscle damage or scarring 
  • Inflammation or infection of the heart 
  • Detailed heart anatomy and function 
  • Blood flow patterns and tissue health 

This test uses sound waves to check blood flow in the carotid arteries and other vessels, helping detect blockages that could lead to stroke. 

Why It’s Done: 
Your provider may recommend vascular ultrasound if you have risk factors for stroke or symptoms of poor circulation like dizziness or changes in your vision. The test is painless and non-invasive. 

What to Expect: 

  • Duration: 30–60 minutes 
  • Experience: A technician moves a small probe over your neck or limbs to capture images of blood flow. 

What Your Results May Show: 
Ultrasound can reveal: 

  • Narrowing or blockages in arteries 
  • Blood flow patterns 
  • Risk of stroke or vascular disease 

This test evaluates blood flow in your arms and legs to detect peripheral artery disease (PAD). 

Why It’s Done: 
Your provider may recommend this test if you have leg pain while walking, wounds that don’t heal, or risk factors for PAD. The test is painless and non-invasive. 

What to Expect: 

  • Duration: 1-2 Hours 
  • Experience: Non-invasive tests such as ankle-brachial index (ABI) and ultrasound are used to measure blood flow. 

What Your Results May Show: 
Peripheral vascular testing can reveal: 

  • Narrowing or blockages in leg arteries  
  • Severity of peripheral artery disease (PAD) 
  • Circulation problems affecting mobility 

Diagnostic cardiac catheterization is an invasive test that provides detailed information about your heart’s blood vessels, pressures, and overall function. It involves inserting a thin, flexible tube (catheter) into a blood vessel and guiding it to the heart to take measurements and images. 

Why It’s Done: 
Your provider may recommend this test if you have symptoms of coronary artery disease, unexplained chest pain, or abnormal results from other heart tests. It’s also used to confirm blockages or assess heart valve function before certain procedures. 

What to Expect: 

  • Duration: Typically 30–60 minutes (procedure) 
  • Experience: The procedure is performed in a specialized cardiac lab. You’ll receive local anesthesia and mild sedation for comfort. A catheter is inserted through an artery in your wrist or groin and guided to the heart. Most patients feel little to no discomfort during the test. You will be expected to arrive 1-hour before and stay 4-6 hours after. 

What Your Results May Show: 
Cardiac catheterization can reveal: 

  • Narrowing or blockages in coronary arteries 
  • Heart chamber pressures and blood flow patterns 
  • Valve function and structural abnormalities 
  • Information needed for treatment planning 

EP studies evaluate the heart’s electrical system to diagnose arrhythmias and guide treatment such as ablation or device implantation. 

Why It’s Done: 
Your provider may recommend an EP study if you have unexplained fainting, rapid heartbeats, or suspected rhythm disorders. 

What to Expect: 

  • Duration: 2–4 hours (procedure) 
  • Experience: Catheters are placed in the heart through veins to measure electrical signals and induce arrhythmias for testing. You will need to arrive 1-hour before and expect to stay 4-6 hours after.  

What Your Results May Show: 
EP studies can reveal: 

  • Source of abnormal rhythms 
  • Risk of dangerous arrhythmias 
  • Best treatment options 
  • Information needed for ablation or device placement 

These specialized imaging tests provide detailed views of heart valves and structures to plan advanced procedures like transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). 

Why It’s Done: 
Your provider may recommend this imaging if you have severe valve disease or are being evaluated for minimally invasive valve repair or replacement. 

What to Expect: 

  • Duration: Varies by test (often 30–90 minutes) 
  • Experience: May involve echocardiography, CT, or MRI for precise measurements. 

What Your Results May Show: 
Advanced imaging can reveal: 

  • Valve size and function 
  • Structural abnormalities 
  • Suitability for procedures like TAVR