Understanding Heart Tests During National Heart Month: How We Detect Blockages and Why It Matters

February is National Heart Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about cardiovascular health and empowering people to take charge of their heart wellness. One of the most important steps in preventing heart attacks and other cardiac events is early detection of coronary artery disease—the narrowing or blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the heart.

Modern cardiology offers a range of diagnostic tools that help clinicians identify blockages with increasing accuracy, speed, and safety. Each test has its own strengths, and understanding them can help patients feel more confident and informed when discussing options with their healthcare team.

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

What it does: Measures the electrical activity of the heart. Benefits:

• Quick, painless, and widely available

• Helps detect abnormal rhythms or signs of a previous heart attack

• Often the first step when someone reports chest discomfort

While an ECG doesn’t directly show blockages, it can reveal patterns that suggest reduced blood flow.

Stress Testing

Stress tests evaluate how the heart performs under physical or chemical stress.

Exercise Stress Test

Benefits:

• Noninvasive and relatively simple

• Shows how the heart responds to exertion

• Helps identify symptoms that appear only during activity

Nuclear Stress Test

Benefits:

• Provides detailed images of blood flow to the heart

• Helps pinpoint areas with reduced circulation

• More sensitive than a standard exercise test

Stress Echocardiogram

Benefits:

• Uses ultrasound to visualize heart function before and after stress

• No radiation exposure

• Helps detect motion abnormalities caused by poor blood flow

Coronary Calcium Score (CT Calcium Scan)

What it does: Uses CT imaging to measure calcium buildup in coronary arteries. Benefits:

• Fast, noninvasive, and involves minimal radiation

• Helps assess long‑term risk of heart disease

• Useful for people with risk factors but no symptoms

This test doesn’t show blockages directly, but calcium presence strongly correlates with plaque buildup.

Coronary CT Angiography (CTA)

What it does: Provides detailed 3D images of coronary arteries using CT technology and contrast dye. Benefits:

• Noninvasive alternative to traditional angiography

• Highly accurate at detecting both soft and calcified plaque

• Helps rule out significant blockages quickly

CTA is increasingly used as a first-line diagnostic tool for chest pain evaluation.

Echocardiogram

What it does: Uses ultrasound to create images of the heart’s structure and function. Benefits:

• No radiation

• Shows how well the heart pumps

• Helps identify complications of coronary disease, such as weakened heart muscle

Although it doesn’t directly visualize blockages, it reveals the effects of reduced blood flow.

Cardiac MRI

What it does: Uses magnetic fields to create detailed images of the heart. Benefits:

• Excellent for evaluating heart muscle damage

• No radiation exposure

• Helps assess blood flow and scarring

Cardiac MRI is especially valuable when other tests are inconclusive.

Cardiac Catheterization (Coronary Angiography)

What it does: A catheter is threaded into the coronary arteries and contrast dye is injected to visualize blockages. Benefits:

• Gold standard for diagnosing coronary artery disease

• Allows immediate treatment, such as stent placement, if a blockage is found

• Provides the most precise view of artery narrowing

This is an invasive procedure, so it’s typically reserved for cases where significant disease is suspected.

Why These Tests Matter

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, but early detection dramatically improves outcomes. These diagnostic tools help clinicians:

• Identify blockages before they cause a heart attack

• Tailor treatment plans to each patient’s needs

• Monitor disease progression over time

• Provide reassurance when symptoms are not heart‑related

National Heart Month is a reminder that knowledge is power. Understanding the available tests—and discussing them with a healthcare professional—can be a lifesaving step toward protecting your heart.