Diagnostic Tests for Dilated cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy: Diagnostic Tests

The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Dilated cardiomyopathy includes:

• Physical exam
• Chest x ray
• Electrocardiogram
• Echocardiogram
• Radionuclide ventriculogram
• Cardiac catheterization

Home Diagnostic Testing

These home medical tests may be relevant to Dilated cardiomyopathy:

• High Blood Pressure: Home Testing
  • Home Blood Pressure Hypertension Tests
  • Home Blood Pressure Monitors
  • Home Heart Tests
• Heart Health: Home Testing:
  • Heart Rate Monitors
  • Irregular Heartbeat Detection
  • Heart Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • Home Blood Pressure Testing
  • Home Cholesterol Testing

Dilated cardiomyopathy Diagnosis: Book Excerpts

• Diagnosis - Dilated cardiomyopathy
• Diagnosis - Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Diagnosis - Restrictive cardiomyopathy
• Diagnosis - Cardiomyopathy, dilated
• Diagnosis - Cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic
• Diagnosis - Cardiomyopathy, restrictive

Tests and diagnosis discussion for Dilated cardiomyopathy:

Once symptoms appear, the condition may be tentatively diagnosed based on a physical examination and a patient's medical history. More often, though, further examination is needed to differentiate dilated cardiomyopathy from other causes of heart failure.

A firm diagnosis typically requires a chest x ray to show whether the heart is enlarged, an electrocardiogram to reveal any abnormal electrical activity of the heart, and an echocardiogram , which uses sound waves to produce pictures of the heart.

Other, more specific tests may also be needed. These include:

• A radionuclide ventriculogram. This involves injecting low-dose radioactive material (usually equal to that in a set of chest x rays) into a vein, through which it flows to the heart. Pictures are generated by a special camera to show how well the heart is functioning.

• A cardiac catheterization . In this procedure, a thin plastic tube is inserted through a blood vessel until it reaches the heart. A dye is injected and x rays taken to assess the heart's structure and function.

 » Next page: Home Testing and Dilated cardiomyopathy

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• Diagnosis of Dilated cardiomyopathy
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