Here are some of the common tests used in atherosclerosis diagnosis.
Blood tests
Blood tests measure the levels of lipoproteins, blood sugar, triglycerides, and inflammation-related substances including C-reactive protein.
Electrocardiogram
You may receive an electrocardiogram as part of a routine exam to screen for heart disease. An electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG or EKG, is a straightforward, painless test that detects and records the electrical activity of your heart. An EKG can show how quickly your heart is beating, whether the rhythm of your heartbeats is steady or irregular, and the strength and timing of the electrical impulses passing through each part of your heart.
In order to perform the test, you will need to lie still on a table while a nurse or technician applies up to 12 electrodes to the skin of your chest, arms, and legs. Your skin may need to be shaved to make the electrodes stick, and the electrodes are connected by wires to a machine that records your heart’s electrical activity on graph paper or on a computer.
You could get a little rash where the electrodes were attached to your skin, but this rash normally resolves on its own without treatment and has no major concerns. EKGs don’t emit electrical charges like shocks.
Of course, a stress test is also crucial for the diagnosis of atherosclerotic coronary artery.
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