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Level 0Cardiology Basics

Common Cardiology Tests

EKG, echo, stress test, blood tests, monitors, and cath — what each one looks at, in plain language.

Beginner~15 min

Learning Objectives

  • 1.Name the common cardiology tests.
  • 2.Explain in simple terms what each test looks at.
  • 3.Understand which part of the heart (wiring, pump, pipes) each test checks.

Overview

You’ll hear these test names every day. You don’t need to interpret them yet — just know what each one looks at and which part of the heart it checks.

The electrical tests (wiring)

  • •EKG (ECG) — a quick recording of the heart’s electricity. Shows the rhythm and signs of a heart attack. Takes a minute and is painless.
  • •Monitors (Holter / event / patch) — wearable recorders worn for days to weeks to catch rhythm problems that come and go.

The pump and valve test

  • •Echocardiogram ("echo") — an ultrasound of the heart. Shows how well it squeezes (the "EF") and whether the valves work. Painless, ~30–60 minutes.

The plumbing tests (pipes)

  • •Stress test — checking the heart while it works hard (treadmill or medication) to look for poor blood flow.
  • •Cardiac catheterization ("cath") — a thin tube is threaded to the heart’s arteries to look for and open blockages. This is a procedure, not just a scan.

The blood tests

  • •Troponin — a marker that rises when heart muscle is injured (used for heart attacks).
  • •BNP (or NT-proBNP) — a marker that rises in heart failure.
  • •Others — cholesterol (lipid) panel, potassium, kidney function, thyroid.

Key vocabulary

  • •Noninvasive = no tubes or cuts (EKG, echo, stress test). Invasive = a tube/procedure (cath).
  • •EF (ejection fraction) = how much blood the heart squeezes out with each beat (from the echo).
  • •Marker = a substance in the blood that signals a problem.

A simple example

A clinician wants to know how well a patient’s heart is squeezing and whether the valves are leaking.

Which test answers that?

Show answer

An echocardiogram (echo) — the ultrasound that shows the pump function (EF) and the valves. An EKG checks electricity; troponin checks for muscle injury.

Simple red flags

  • •If a patient has chest pain or feels faint during a test (like a stress test), tell a nurse or provider right away.

During testing

A patient who develops symptoms during a test is escalated immediately — recognizing and reporting it is your role.

Knowledge Check Quiz

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not replace clinical judgment, and is not a substitute for institutional protocols or certified medical interpreters. No patient health information (PHI) should be entered into this application.