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Tests

Tests for heart and circulatory conditions

There are many different tests for diagnosing or managing heart conditions. Here we explain some of the more common ones and tell you where to find out more.

A heart monitor reading on a piece of paper [A heart monitor reading on a piece of paper]

Tests for heart conditions

ECG

An electrocardiogram, or ECG, is a simple and useful test which records the rhythm, rate and electrical activity of your heart.

Read about ECGs

Check your pulse

You can tell if you have an irregular heart beat by checking your pulse.

Learn how to check your pulse

Coronary angiogram

An angiogram is a type of X-ray which uses a special type of liquid, called contrast dye, to look at your coronary arteries (the tubes which carry blood to your heart).

Read about coronary angiograms

Browse other tests

Blood tests

Blood tests are a very common way for healthcare professionals to assess your health.

Read about blood tests

Cardiac MRI

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a way of creating detailed images of your internal organs. Cardiac MRI uses an MRI machine to look specifically at your heart and surrounding blood vessels.

Read about cardiac MRIs

Chest X-ray

A chest X-ray produces an image of your heart, lungs, airways, and ribs.

Read about chest X-rays

CT scan

Computerised tomography (CT) scanning can be useful to help diagnose heart problems and how severe they are.

Read about CT scans

Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram, also known as an echo, is a test which uses sound waves to help diagnose and monitor certain heart conditions.

Read about echocardiograms

Electrophysiological study

An electrophysiological (EP) study is a test which looks at your heart's electrical activity in more detail compared to an ECG.

Read about electrophysiological studies

Exercise ECG

An exercise ECG aims to see how your heart works when you are doing a physical activity.

Read about exercise ECGs

Genetic testing

Genetic testing can be used to find out whether you have a specific altered gene or a genetic fault which can lead to an inherited heart condition.

Read about genetic testing

Implantable loop recorders

An implantable loop recorder, or ILR, is a small device that records the electrical activity of your heart.

Read about implantable loop recorders

Myocardial perfusion scan

These scans use a small amount of radioactive substance to show blood flow to the heart muscle.

Read about myocardial perfusion scans

Tilt test

If you're having dizzy spells or have blacked out, a tilt test can show if these symptoms are related to your blood pressure or heart rate.

Read about tilt tests

Find out more

Speak to a cardiac nurse

Our Heart Helpline is open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm.

Speak with a cardiac nurse

Order or download our booklets

Our free booklets make it easier to understand heart and circulatory diseases.

Order or download

Treatments for heart and circulatory conditions

Read more about the range of treatments available for heart and circulatory conditions.

Browse treatments

British Heart Foundation

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British Heart Foundation Logo [British Heart Foundation Logo] British Heart Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales (225971), Scotland (SC039426) and the Isle of Man (1295). A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (699547) and the Isle of Man (6201F). Registered office: Greater London House, 4th Floor, 180 Hampstead Road, London NW1 7AW Registered with the Fundraising Regulator [Registered with the Fundraising Regulator]
To find out more, or to support British Heart Foundation’s work, please visit www.bhf.org.uk. You can speak to one of our cardiac nurses by calling our helpline on 0808 802 1234 (freephone), Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. For general customer service enquiries, please call 0300 330 3322, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

British Heart Foundation is a registered Charity No. 225971. Registered as a Company limited by guarantee in England & Wales No. 699547. Registered office at Greater London House, 180 Hampstead Road, London NW1 7AW. Registered as a Charity in Scotland No. SC039426
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