What Tests Does a Doctor Use to Check Your Heart?

If something feels amiss in your chest, it is normal to wonder what is happening inside. Your heartbeat may race, slow down, skip, or feel heavy, and you know it is worth getting checked. Dr. Gerard Leong Cardiology Clinic, has seen countless people walk through the door with those same concerns, and the first question they ask is what test a heart doctor might order to find answers.

Luckily, there are well-established ways to see how the heart is working. Each test gives a different kind of information, and together they paint a clear picture. If you have been told you need a heart check-up Singapore, or are simply curious about what might happen at your first appointment, keep reading.

Echocardiogram

One test you should expect when going for a heart checkup Singapore is the famous echocardiogram. This test shows structure and movement and uses ultrasound, which is the same kind of tech used in pregnancy scans. A technician places a probe on your chest and sound waves create live images of your heart.

The heart doctor can see the chambers, valves, and blood flow. Echocardiogram is important for checking if the heart muscle is pumping strongly, if the valves open and close correctly, and if fluid is collecting where it should not. Also, it offers a dynamic picture, which helps the heart doctor understand how your organ looks and how it’s performing with each beat.

Some people require a more advanced version called a transesophageal echocardiogram. Instead of looking through the chest wall, the probe goes down the esophagus to give even clearer images of certain structures.

Electrocardiogram

Another common test you should expect when going for a heart checkup Singapore is the electrocardiogram. With this test, small sticky pads are placed on your chest, arms, and legs. The pads connect to wires that read the electrical signals travelling through your heart. Electrocardiogram only takes a couple of minutes and it doesn’t hurt.

This test is used to show the rhythm of your heartbeat and can pick up issues like an irregular heartbeat or signs that a part of your heart is under strain. Considering it is fast, it’s usually the very first step when going for a heart checkup in Singapore.

Many patients are surprised that such a simple test can reveal so much in a couple of minutes. If the results look normal, that is useful information. If they look unusual, then it can help get the next steps of action.