More than just a symbol of love, the heart is your lifeline. Keeping it healthy is crucial to improve overall well-being. A healthy heart means better blood circulation, more energy, & fewer risks of cardiovascular diseases.
Read the blog to explore what cardiovascular services, like an Echocardiogram, Electrocardiogram (EKG), and Cardiac stress test, reveal about your heart health.
What a Normal Heartbeat Looks Like?
A good heart rate, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood circulation, and absence of disease are the key indicators of a normal heartbeat.
Heart Rate– A resting heart rate in adults should be between 60 and 100 bpm.
Blood Pressure– Ideally, it should be less than 120/80 mmHg.
Blood Cholesterol– A good cholesterol level includes a total cholesterol under 200 mg/dL, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol less than 100 mg/dL, and HDL (“good”) cholesterol greater than 40 mg/dL.
Blood circulation-A normal circulation means warm hands and feet with consistent skin color.
Absence of disease symptoms– A healthy person may not suffer from chest pain, swelling in the legs, or shortness of breath.
What an EKG, Echocardiogram, and Stress Test Reveal?
Electrocardiogram (EKG), Echocardiogram, and Stress Test are the most popular types of cardiovascular tests that reveal the health of your heart in detail.
Electrocardiogram (EKG)
The Electrocardiogram (EKG) test measures the electrical activity of the heart. It shows rhythm, timing, and broad conduction characteristics.
In this test, electrodes are placed on the chest, arms, and legs. The patient lies still while the machine records the electrical signals of the heart. It is a non-invasive and painless process.
Here’s what it reveals-
- The rhythm is regular or irregular.
- Whether the electrical conduction pathways are normal or if there are delays or blocks.
- Indications of prior heart damage (e.g., from a heart attack) via specific wave changes.
- May detect electrolyte imbalances, enlargement of chambers, or other electrical abnormalities.
Results– A normal Electrocardiogram test shows repeating wave patterns like P wave → QRS → T wave at regular intervals.
Echo (Echocardiogram)
An Echo test uses ultrasound waves to create moving images of the heart’s structure & function. It provides a visualization of how the cardiac walls, chambers, valves, & blood flow work.
In this test process, a probe (transducer) is placed on the chest after applying a gel. It sends and receives sound waves to create pictures of the heart. The echocardiogram test is painless and non-invasive.
Here’s what it reveals-
- The size and shape of the chambers.
- How well the heart’s pumping function is (ventricular performance).
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- How well the valves work (opening/closing).
- Blood flow patterns, possible clots, and abnormalities in the heart wall motion.
If the echo shows normal chamber size, normal valve motion, good pumping function, and no abnormal flow, the heart structure and function are likely healthy. If problems are detected (e.g., valve disease, weakened muscle, chamber enlargement), your medical provider will plan further management.
Stress Test
The stress test evaluates how your heart responds to activity or stress. Some heart problems only become obvious when the heart is working hard.
There are different types:
Exercise stress test– You walk or run on a treadmill while your heart rate increases and your ECG is monitored.
Stress echocardiogram– Echo is done at rest and then again after exercise (or medication-induced stress) to see how the heart handles increased demand.
Process of the Test-
Baseline ECG, blood pressure, and sometimes echo imaging at rest.
You perform physical exercise (or may receive medication if exercise is not possible) to raise your heart rate.
Monitor continues during test. After reaching the target heart rate or symptoms, imaging and ECG may be repeated.
Cool-down period and monitoring until heart rate and blood pressure return to baseline.
Here’s what it reveals-
- Whether increased demand causes abnormal ECG changes (like signs of reduced blood flow to the heart muscle).
- How well the heart muscle works when stressed: whether parts of the heart wall move normally, whether valves handle increased workload. In stress echo, abnormal wall motion may suggest ischemia (poor blood supply) or past injury.
- Evidence of coronary artery disease, arrhythmias induced by exercise, or valve/structural problems revealed under stress.
If the cardiac stress test is normal, it suggests that the heart handles stress well and the blood supply is likely adequate. If abnormal, further investigation (angiography, advanced imaging, or intervention) may be needed.
Get the Best Cardiovascular Services in Brookfield, WI
When you want comprehensive cardiovascular testing and personalized care, consider visiting SAAK Health. Here we access all major heart tests in one center, including EKG, echocardiogram, stress tests, cardiac catheterization, pacemaker checks, and more. Our cardiac health specialists understand how these tests interrelate and provide a detailed report. Explore how we help-
- Leveraging modern imaging & monitoring equipment that ensures high-quality and accurate results.
- Cardiology specialists review your tests, help you understand the meaning of each result, and guide further tests if something is flagged.
- Get a personalized care plan. Our tests are tailored to your health status, risk profile, and lifestyle.
- Convenient scheduling of your cardiovascular tests without repeated long waits or referrals.
- Regular follow-up support to maintain or improve your heart health.
Take Care of Your Cardiac Health
Your heart is at the core of your health. A normal heartbeat, regular rhythm, and efficient pumping indicate a well-functioning heart. But sometimes, early problems hide beneath the surface. That’s where cardiovascular services like the EKG, echocardiogram, and stress test help to identify risks. These tools reveal what you can’t always feel: electrical irregularities, structural changes, or reduced blood flow under stress.
When you choose a centre like SAAK Health for comprehensive testing, you give yourself the best chance of early detection and timely care. Early diagnosis means simpler treatments and better outcomes.
Make your heart health a priority. Keep active, eat sensibly, manage stress, control blood pressure and cholesterol, and attend regular check-ups. These tests are not just for when you feel unwell- they’re for prevention and peace of mind. Your heart works for you every second. Return the favour by taking care of it.
FAQs
What heart and cardiovascular tests are commonly used to assess my heart disease risk?
Common cardiovascular tests include blood tests such as a lipid profile (to measure cholesterol and triglycerides), an electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) to evaluate your heart’s electrical activity, and an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) to check heart structure and function. Depending on your risk and symptoms, your doctor may also recommend stress testing or advanced imaging.
What does a lipid profile (cholesterol blood test) reveal about my heart health?
A lipid profile measures total cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and triglycerides. High LDL or triglycerides and low HDL levels are linked to a greater risk of plaque buildup in your arteries, which can lead to coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Why might I need an ECG or echocardiogram even if I feel healthy?
An ECG records your heart’s electrical signals and can detect abnormal rhythms, previous silent heart damage, or other electrical problems. An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to show how well your heart muscle and valves are working. These tests can uncover hidden issues before symptoms develop, especially if you have risk factors for heart disease.
When are advanced tests like stress tests, CT/MRI scans, or cardiac catheterization recommended?
Your doctor may recommend advanced tests if you have chest discomfort, shortness of breath, abnormal screening results, or multiple risk factors. Stress tests show how your heart performs under exertion, CT or MRI scans can look for blockages and structural problems, and cardiac catheterization can directly evaluate blood flow in the coronary arteries and guide treatment decisions.
How often should I have cardiovascular screening tests to protect my heart health?
The frequency of testing depends on your age, risk factors, and medical history. Many adults should have blood pressure checked at least once a year and cholesterol checked every few years, or more often if levels are high. People with diabetes, hypertension, a strong family history of heart disease, or other risk factors may need more frequent or earlier cardiovascular screening based on their provider’s recommendations.