1. Diagnostic Procedures for coronary heart disease By Natasha Braswell Biology 120

2. Coronary heart disease A condition caused by atherosclerosis that reduces the blood flow through the coronary arteries to the heart and typically results in chest pain or a potential heart attack.

3. Clinical laboratory tests Cardiac enzymes- a blood test that allows your doctor to see if you have had a heart attack. An increase in the enzymes may indicate heart muscle damage such as myocardial infarction. These enzymes include CPK- creatine phosphokinase LDH- lactate dehydrogenase GOT- glutamicoxaloacetictransaminase

4. When cardiac enzymes test are not effective Someone on cholesterol lowering medication Heavy alcohol use Recent heavy exercise Recent surgery Having had CPR or defibrillation Kidney failure

5. Serum lipoprotein level Lipoproteins are molecules made of proteins and fat that transport cholesterol and similar compounds in the blood. This test is used as an indicator of atherosclerosis risk.

6. Diagnostic imaging Angiography-A procedure so you can look at the blood vessels of the heart after injection of a dye. Used as a indicator if the patient has narrowing or blockage of the arteries leading to and from the heart. Cardiac scan-a test that measures the amount of blood in your heart when you are resting or doing exercise. This test is really useful in determining myocardial damage.

7. Doppler ultrasonography- this test is very useful to detect the direction, velocity and turbulence or blood flow. It is frequently used to detect problems with heart valves or to measure blood flow through the arteries. Also this test is useful with stroke patients in accessing blood flow to the abdomen and legs.

8. Echocardiography-a diagnostic test that uses ultrasounds waves to create an image of the heart muscle. Ultrasounds waves that rebound or echo off the heart can show the size, shape and movement of the heart valves and chambers as well as the blood flow through the heart. This test is also effective in showing poorly functioning heart valves from previous heart attacks.

9. Venography- x-ray of the veins by tracing the venous pulse. Used primarily to diagnose deep vein thrombosis(DVT). Venography can also be used to distinguished blood clots from obstructuion in the veins.

10. Cardiac function tests Cardiac catheterization-a procedure done in a hospital setting, where they take a thin tube called a catheter through a blood vessel leading to the heart. This is done to detect abnormalities within the heart, to collect cardiac blood samples, and to determine the blood pressure within the heart. Electrocardiography- a process of recording the electrical activity of the heart. Mostly used to diagnosis abnormal cardiac rhythms and heart muscle damage.

11. Holter monitor-a portable ECG monitor worn by patients to monitor the heart and pulse activities during their everyday living. The length of time varies from a few hours or several days. This is usually worn to assess a patient who complains of chest pain or abnormal heart activities during exercise or normal every day living.

12. Stress test- a test used for evaluating cardiovascular fitness. The patient is asked to get on a treadmill or bike with increasing levels of work. The patient oxygen level is taken and an EKG is taken to monitor the patients heart activity. If any abnormalities occur the test is stopped.