Rest Angina Tests and Diagnosis

The following tests help diagnose Angina:

• Electrocardiogram is used to determine the critical narrowing of the coronary artery, detect cardiac conduction disorders and arrhythmias, and find signs of post infarction Cardiosclerosis;
• Holter monitoring is performed during the day and usually it is more informative than an ECG procedure;
• Cardiac ultrasound is used to evaluate myocardial contractility and detect any associated cardiac pathology;
• A biochemical blood test is required to check blood coagulation and determine the levels of:
  • Total cholesterol;
  • High and low density lipoproteins;
  • Triglycerides;
  • Glucose.
• Coronary angiography is used to evaluate the localization and severity of Atherosclerosis as well as an Atherosclerotic lesion site, register spasm and arterial thrombosis and also detect left ventricular dysfunction.

In case of Unstable Angina stress tests (bicycle ergometry, treadmill test) are not always informative – the results may be negative.

 Next chapter: Treatment and prevention