What items are checked for heart disease?

Written by Liu Ying
Cardiology
Updated on June 21, 2025
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Heart disease can be screened for arrhythmias or myocardial ischemia through an electrocardiogram (ECG) or a Holter monitor. One can also examine the heart using echocardiography to check if the atria or ventricles are enlarged, the condition of the heart valves whether they are narrowed or regurgitating, the thickness of the myocardium, the movement of the myocardium, the ejection fraction of the heart, and can also measure pulmonary artery pressure, among other parameters. If coronary heart disease is considered, or not ruled out, coronary angiography or coronary CT can be performed. Blood tests can be done to examine cardiac enzymes, troponins, etc. There are other diagnostic tests available for heart disease, and which specific tests to conduct should be decided by a specialist based on the patient's condition.

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Written by Xiao Chang Jiang
Cardiology
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Early symptoms of heart disease

How is heart disease diagnosed? What are its early symptoms? Actually, the concept of heart disease is very broad as it includes many diseases related to the heart. Generally, it refers to problems with the structure or function of the heart, or its inability to perform its pumping function. Its early symptoms can include chest tightness, chest pain, or a crushing feeling after activity, and some may even radiate to the back or the inside of the arms, even involving the shoulders, presenting symptoms like increased heart rate, palpitations, tinnitus, and breathing difficulties. All these are related to heart disease. But how can we determine what kind of heart disease it is? We believe that the first step is to visit a hospital for tests such as electrocardiograms (ECG), ambulatory ECGs, exercise stress tests, and other imaging tests including coronary CT and even coronary angiography. Of course, some biochemical tests are also necessary, such as myocardial enzymes, troponins, myoglobins, brain natriuretic peptides, immunological and biological tests, which all help to determine the nature of the heart disease. In summary, we must pay special attention to heart disease, and once these symptoms appear, we should seek medical attention promptly and early.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Is heart pain always a heart disease?

Heart pain is not necessarily caused by heart disease; there are many reasons for heart pain, and these vary with the age of onset. For instance, in middle-aged and older people, attention should be paid to the possibility of angina or myocardial infarction. Symptoms of angina often last for a few minutes and can be relieved by rest or taking nitroglycerin tablets. Myocardial infarction, on the other hand, often presents with intense heart pain located at the sternum, which persists without relief. In younger individuals, it is important to consider lung-related diseases causing pain, such as pleurisy or pneumothorax, where pain is often related to breathing. It is necessary to visit a hospital for proper examinations, including an electrocardiogram, blood tests for cardiac enzymes and troponin, and a CT scan of the lungs to determine the cause of the pain based on these tests.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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How to prevent heart disease

As the aging society approaches, the incidence of heart disease is gradually increasing. So, how can we effectively prevent heart disease? Generally, to prevent heart disease, you can start from the following aspects: First, maintain good living habits, adhere to a low-salt, low-fat diet, eat less spicy and greasy food, and persist in exercising. Maintaining good living habits is very important. Second, control the "three highs" such as high blood lipids, high blood sugar, or high blood pressure. It is necessary to undergo standardized treatment under the guidance of a doctor to control blood lipids and blood sugar.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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Rheumatic Heart Disease Concept

Rheumatic heart disease is a type of organic heart disease caused by a hypersensitivity reaction in the body due to infection by Streptococcus pyogenes. This leads to pathological changes in the heart valves, including the tricuspid and mitral valves, resulting in stenosis or insufficiency which affects hemodynamics. This condition is known as rheumatic heart disease. Patients with rheumatic heart disease should actively seek treatment under the guidance of a doctor in the early stages to control the occurrence of complications.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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Is hyperthyroid heart disease dangerous?

Hyperthyroidism can repeatedly cause an increase in heart rate and metabolism, which is quite active, causing a long-term overload of heart function, leading to the formation of hyperthyroid heart disease, a chronic pathological change process. In the middle and early stages, it generally does not pose a life-threatening risk, only manifesting symptoms such as palpitations, tightness after activity, breathlessness, or chest tightness, which can improve with rest. However, if hyperthyroidism is not cured for a long time, or if hyperthyroid heart disease is not treated in time, it can lead to severe heart failure. If there is a severe decline in heart pump function, causing the ejection fraction to be below 30%, it can easily cause sudden pump failure or severe arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, posing a life-threatening risk to the patient.