A thorough physical examination is the first step towards diagnosing any heart disease. The physician will inquire about the medical history of the patient, followed by a careful evaluation of the symptoms. This provides the basis for further diagnosis, which may include a series of invasive and non-invasive diagnostic tests.

The heart continuously generates electrical impulses which can be evaluated through an ECG. It is a non-invasive imaging diagnosis to examine the heart rate and rhythm. A gel is applied to the patient’s upper chest area and ECG leads are attached in six predefined positions. Electrical impulses are transmitted through the ECG leads which help in examining the underlying heart functions. Heart muscles with blocked or reduced blood supply conduct electricity poorly, which can be identified through the test. The test usually takes 15-20 minutes and the patient is not kept under observation before or after the test.

Exercise stress test is a non-invasive diagnostic tool, performed when a patient’s ECG is normal at rest. In this procedure, the patient is subjected to physical exercise (treadmill) to generate stress in the body. An ECG is performed simultaneously to identify abnormal contraction of the heart muscle(s). An underlying heart dysfunction may also evoke symptoms such as angina (chest pain), which can be evaluated through the ECG. The test is performed under expert supervision, and the patient is kept under further observation in case of critical symptoms. The test usually takes 20-40 minutes for completion.

Cardiac catheterization with arteriography is a gold standard for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. It is a minimally invasive test in which the patient is inserted with a long, flexible, narrow tube (catheter) through a small incision in the groin or arm. The catheter is advanced under X-ray guidance to the opening of a coronary artery. A contrast material (dye) is then injected into the coronary artery and an X-ray video is recorded. This helps in monitoring the blood flow through the heart, blood vessels and valves. Any obstruction in the flow can be thus identified. The test can take from 20 minutes to an hour. The patient is usually kept under overnight observation after the test.

Chest X-ray is a non-invasive imaging diagnostic to view the heart, lungs and blood vessels. It provides an image overview of the heart and adjacent areas. A chest X-ray can be examined to identify heart enlargement or other related abnormalities. The test usually takes 5 minutes and can provide the basis of further diagnosis. The patient may be kept under observation for further diagnosis.

A cardiac CT scan is a non-invasive imaging test performed to check heart arrhythmia and related abnormalities. The patient is made to lie on a movable bed, which is then inserted into a doughnut shaped scanner. The CT scanner takes X-ray imaging of the chest and heart, which can be examined through a computer. The test usually takes 15 to 20 minutes and the patient is not required under observation.

A cardiac MRI is a non-invasive imaging test performed to assess the cardiovascular system. It is a detailed procedure which provides high quality imaging of the heart and related areas. All the tissues and organs in the body carry water. Radio waves are transmitted through the tissues and the energy is absorbed by the water to reflect images. Cardiac MRI is a safe procedure with no known risks. The test may take about 30 minutes to 1 hour, and the patient is not required under observation.