Evaluation should include measurements of blood pressure and the ankle-brachial index. An Electrocardiogram or EKG is a common test performed to determine if one has CAD. An EKG is a simple, painless test that identifies and records the heart 's electrical movements; it can show signs of heart damage and signs of a previous or current heart attack. The test shows how rapid the heart is beating and how stead or irregular its rhythm is. This test also records the timing and strength of electrical signals as they pass right through the heart. Exercise stress testing is another common test used to evaluate the diagnosis of CAD. During stress testing, you exercise to make your heart work very hard and beat rapidly while heart exams are being completed. If you cannot work out or exercise in order to get your rate up, you may be given medicine to assist you. Stress testing can show possible signs and symptoms of CAD, such as: Abnormal changes in your heart rate, chest pain or trouble breathing, irregular changes in your heart regularity. Another tool used for prognosis is the Echocardiography (echo). This tool is utilized sound waves to generate a moving image of your heart. Echo also can show areas of weak blood flow to the heart, regions of the heart muscle that are contracting abnormally and prior damage to the heart muscle caused by poor blood …show more content…
It may be extremely helpful to talk about how you feel with your health care team, specialists, or a professional counselor. If you are very unhappy or depressed, your doctor may recommend medication or other treatment options that can improve your quality and outlook of life. A patient support group may help. One may want to consider joining in order to help with adjusting to living with this disease. You can see how other people who share the same symptoms have dealt with them. Here is a link to an online support group: