Coronary Artery Disease Diagnosis

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is diagnosed using a combination of methods. Doctors start with a physical examination and ask about symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath. They may recommend tests such as an EKG (which measures heart electrical activity), stress tests (to see how the heart performs under exertion), and imaging techniques like echocardiograms or coronary angiography (which visualize blood flow in the heart's arteries). Blood tests may assess cholesterol levels and other risk factors. Together, these evaluations help determine the presence and severity of CAD, guiding appropriate treatment options.