Last Updated on November 4, 2025 by mcelik
Diagnosing angina needs a mix of doctor’s checks and tests. At Liv Hospital, we focus on our patients, using top tech to get the right answers.
The electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is key in finding angina. It spots heart changes during pain, showing if angina shows up on ECG.
We use ECG, echocardiogram, and blood tests to find angina. Our aim is to diagnose quickly and correctly, so our patients get the best care.
Understanding angina starts with knowing its symptoms and types. This knowledge is key for getting medical help quickly. Angina pectoris, or angina, is chest pain or discomfort caused by the heart not getting enough oxygen.
Symptoms of angina can differ from person to person. But, they often include feeling tight in the chest, pain in the arms, neck, or jaw, and shortness of breath. These happen when the heart muscle doesn’t get enough oxygen-rich blood.
Common symptoms include:
There are several types of angina, each with its own traits. These include stable angina, unstable angina, and variant angina.
| Type of Angina | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Stable Angina | Predictable chest pain or discomfort, usually triggered by exertion or stress, relieved by rest or medication. |
| Unstable Angina | Unexpected chest pain or discomfort, often at rest, showing a serious condition that might lead to a heart attack. |
| Variant Angina | Chest pain or discomfort at rest, often due to spasm in the coronary artery, and may be linked to irregular heart rhythms. |
If you have angina symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor. This is true for severe, ongoing, or painful symptoms, along with signs like dizziness or nausea. Unstable angina is a serious emergency that needs quick medical care.
If you’re feeling chest pain or discomfort, don’t wait to get medical help.
Diagnosing angina requires a detailed clinical assessment. This includes looking at the patient’s medical history, conducting a physical exam, and evaluating risk factors. We’ll explore how these steps help in diagnosing and managing angina.
Starting with the patient’s medical history is key. This step gathers info on symptoms, past heart issues, and other health conditions. A thorough medical history helps doctors understand the patient’s heart risk and find angina causes.
Important parts of medical history include:
A physical exam is vital for diagnosing angina. Doctors use different methods to find signs of heart disease or other issues that might cause angina.
Some common exam techniques are:
Medical guidelines say a full physical exam is key to finding angina causes and heart risk.
Checking a patient’s risk factors is a big part of the angina assessment. It’s about finding factors that can be changed or can’t be changed that affect heart disease.
Common risk factors for angina are:
Knowing a patient’s risk factors helps doctors create a better treatment plan. This can lower the chance of future heart problems.
The electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a key tool for finding heart issues linked to angina. It records the heart’s electrical activity. This helps spot patterns that might show ischemia or other heart problems.
Electrocardiography measures the heart’s electrical activity through skin electrodes. These electrodes pick up the small electrical changes from the heart’s muscle activity. The data is then shown as a tracing on the ECG, giving a snapshot of the heart’s electrical activity.
Key components of an ECG include the P wave, QRS complex, and T wave. Each part shows a different stage of the heart’s electrical cycle. The P wave is for atrial depolarization, the QRS complex for ventricular depolarization, and the T wave for ventricular repolarization. Doctors use these to spot heart rhythm problems and signs of ischemia or infarction.
During angina, specific ECG changes can be seen, showing myocardial ischemia. ST-segment depression is common, meaning the heart muscle isn’t getting enough oxygen. T-wave inversion is also a sign of ischemia. These changes are key for diagnosing angina and understanding its severity.
“ECG changes during angina can provide critical information about the presence and severity of coronary artery disease.”
Resting ECGs are useful but have limits in finding angina. They might not show ischemic changes if done between angina episodes. So, a normal resting ECG doesn’t mean you can’t have angina. Stress tests or ambulatory ECG monitoring might be needed to detect angina and its severity.
Diagnosing angina needs a full approach, including clinical checks and tests like the ECG. Knowing how ECGs work and their limits helps doctors make better diagnoses. This leads to more effective treatment plans for angina patients.
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) can give important clues about angina. But, it works best when done during an angina episode. This is because the ECG can show changes that help doctors diagnose angina.
When someone is having an angina episode, an ECG can show key signs. These signs include ST-segment depression or elevation, and T-wave changes. ST-segment depression is a common finding, showing a drop in blood flow to the heart.
In some cases, ST-segment elevation can happen. This might mean the heart is getting even less blood, which could be serious.
What an ECG shows during an angina episode can differ from person to person. We’ll look at what these signs mean and how they help doctors figure out what’s going on.
But, between angina episodes, an ECG might look normal. This makes it harder to use the ECG alone to diagnose angina. A normal ECG doesn’t mean there’s no angina or heart disease.
Other tests, like stress tests or imaging studies, might be needed to find out if someone has angina.
Understanding ST-segment and T-wave changes on an ECG is complex. It needs a deep look at the patient’s symptoms and medical history. ST-segment depression can mean the heart is not getting enough blood. T-wave inversion might point to heart disease.
Doctors must look at these ECG changes with the patient’s whole story in mind. Getting these changes right is key to diagnosing angina and treating it properly.
Exercise stress testing is key for diagnosing angina. It’s a non-invasive test that checks the heart’s electrical activity during exercise. This is usually done on a treadmill or stationary bike.
The main goal of an exercise ECG is to find heart problems that don’t show up when you’re resting. The test tracks the heart’s electrical signals while you exercise. We aim for a certain heart rate.
We also watch your blood pressure and look for signs like chest pain or shortness of breath.
The test involves several steps:
Exercise stress testing is good at finding heart disease, which often causes angina. It’s about 68% sensitive and 77% specific for diagnosing heart disease.
| Test Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sensitivity | 68% |
| Specificity | 77% |
| Positive Predictive Value | Varies based on population |
| Negative Predictive Value | Varies based on population |
We suggest exercise stress testing for those with a moderate chance of heart disease. It’s best for people who can exercise and have a clear ECG. Stress tests also help check how well treatments are working.
When we look at stress test results, we check for signs of heart problems like ST-segment depression. We also consider symptoms and how the heart responds to exercise. A positive test might mean there’s serious heart disease.
We look at the whole picture, including your medical history and risk factors. This helps us decide on the next steps for your care.
Echocardiography is key in checking how well the heart works, mainly for those with angina symptoms. It’s a non-invasive way to see the heart’s shape and how it functions. This helps us diagnose and manage angina better.
An echocardiogram doesn’t directly spot angina. But, it can show signs of heart damage or problems. It also checks how well the heart works and finds other issues that might cause chest pain. This info is vital for those suspected of having angina.
Echocardiography gives us lots of details about the heart. It can find:
By looking at these things, we can figure out what’s causing symptoms. Then, we can plan the best treatment.
Stress echocardiography is like a regular echocardiogram but done during or after exercise or medicine. It’s better at finding angina by:
The table below shows the main differences between resting and stress echocardiography:
| Characteristics | Resting Echocardiography | Stress Echocardiography |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Checks the heart at rest | Looks at how the heart handles stress |
| Method | Uses ultrasound at rest | Uses ultrasound during or after stress |
| Diagnostic Capability | Finds heart problems and how it works at rest | Finds heart problems that show up with stress |
By using what we see on the echocardiogram and what the doctor knows, we can make better diagnoses. This helps us create effective plans to treat angina.
Diagnosing angina often involves blood tests to check the heart’s health. These tests help us understand chest pain and its cause. They help us tell if it’s angina or something more serious like a heart attack.
Cardiac biomarkers like troponins and creatine kinase are proteins in the blood when heart cells are damaged. These biomarkers are key for diagnosing heart attacks and measuring heart damage. For example, high troponin levels show heart damage, helping us decide treatment.
Some important cardiac biomarkers include:
Telling angina from a heart attack is key, as heart attacks need quick action. Blood tests are vital in making this distinction. For instance, in heart attacks, troponin levels jump up, but in angina, they stay normal.
“The measurement of cardiac troponins is a cornerstone in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.” –
Other blood tests give insights into heart health and angina risk. These include:
By using these blood tests and clinical checks, we can accurately diagnose angina. We can also tell it apart from more serious heart issues. This helps us create the right treatment plan for our patients.
We use advanced imaging to diagnose angina. This helps us see the heart’s structure and how it works. These tools give us important info to manage heart disease.
Coronary CT angiography is a non-invasive test. It shows the coronary arteries. It’s great for finding blockages that cause angina.
Benefits of Coronary CT Angiography:
Nuclear stress tests check the heart’s blood flow. They look at the heart’s function under stress and at rest. This helps find ischemia that may cause angina.
| Test Component | Description | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Stress Test | Assesses heart function under physical stress | Identifies ischemia or reduced blood flow |
| Myocardial Perfusion Imaging | Evaluates blood flow to the heart muscle | Detects areas of reduced perfusion |
Cardiac MRI gives detailed heart images. It’s good for seeing how much heart disease there is. It also checks the heart’s function.
Cardiac MRI can identify:
PET scanning looks at coronary blood flow and heart tissue. It shows how active the heart is and its blood flow.
These advanced imaging methods help us accurately diagnose and treat angina. This improves patient care.
For some cases of angina, we need to use invasive tests to find out more. These tests help us understand the disease better. This way, we can make a good plan to treat it.
These tests are key to finding out if you have coronary artery disease. They give us a clear picture of your arteries. This helps doctors decide the best treatment for you.
Coronary angiography is the top choice for checking coronary artery disease. It uses a special dye and X-rays to see the arteries. This shows if there are any blockages.
Key benefits of coronary angiography include:
Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) gives us detailed views of the arteries from inside. It uses a small ultrasound probe on a catheter. This helps us see how much plaque there is and how severe the stenosis is.
The advantages of IVUS include:
Fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement checks if a blockage in the artery is serious. It measures the pressure drop in the artery when it’s fully open. This is done by giving a vasodilator.
FFR provides valuable information on:
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) uses light to take clear pictures of the arteries. It shows us the details of the plaque and how well the stent fits. It also spots any blood clots.
OCT offers several benefits, including:
By using these tests, we can really understand angina and coronary artery disease. This helps us make a treatment plan that works well for you.
Our team at Liv Hospital is committed to accurate angina diagnoses. We use a detailed and team-based approach. Angina diagnosis is not just one test; it’s a thorough check that looks at many factors and uses the latest tools.
Our team includes cardiologists, radiologists, and other experts. They work together to give each patient a full check-up. This team effort helps us get a precise diagnosis.
We look at everything about a patient’s health and lifestyle. This helps us create a treatment plan that fits them perfectly.
We follow the latest research and guidelines for diagnosis. Our protocols make sure patients get the right tests. This way, we avoid unnecessary tests and get accurate results.
By using the latest in cardiac care, we give our patients the best diagnoses possible.
We focus on making the diagnostic experience better for our patients. We want them to feel at ease and supported. We know tests can be stressful, so we try to make it as easy as possible.
We explain everything clearly and listen to our patients. We make sure they are part of their care decisions.
We use the latest technologies to improve our diagnostic skills. This includes advanced imaging and cardiac tests. We invest in these tools to give our patients the best care.
For example, we offer coronary angiography. It gives us detailed images of the heart’s arteries. This helps us find blockages and other issues that might cause angina.
Getting an accurate diagnosis of angina is key to good care and better health outcomes. Doctors use a mix of clinical checks, tests, and scans to find the right diagnosis. This helps them give the best treatment.
At Liv Hospital, we focus on top-notch, patient-focused care. We use the newest tech and follow the best practices. Our team works together to give patients all they need, from start to finish.
It’s vital to diagnose angina correctly to manage it well. At Liv Hospital, we take a detailed approach to handle angina. With our advanced tools, we can find the root cause and tailor treatments for better results.
Angina can show on an ECG or EKG during chest pain episodes. You might see ST-segment depression or T-wave inversion. But, a resting ECG might look normal between episodes.
An echocardiogram can’t directly spot angina. But, it can show signs of heart damage or past heart attacks. It also checks how well the heart works and finds other heart issues that might cause pain.
Blood tests like troponin and creatine kinase help find heart attacks and see how bad the damage is. Other tests check for heart risk factors and overall health.
Exercise stress testing checks how the heart reacts to stress. It uses ECG monitoring to find heart problems that aren’t seen at rest.
Coronary angiography is the top way to find coronary artery disease and angina. It uses contrast to see if the arteries are blocked or narrowed.
An ECG can show signs of angina during episodes. But, it might miss it if done between episodes. A full check-up is usually needed.
Techniques like coronary CT angiography and nuclear stress tests give detailed heart views. Myocardial perfusion imaging, cardiac MRI, and PET scanning also help find angina.
Liv Hospital’s team uses a detailed, patient-focused approach. They do clinical checks, non-invasive and invasive tests, and advanced imaging to accurately diagnose angina.
An EKG can show signs of angina during episodes. But, it might not catch it if done between episodes.
Stress echocardiography makes echocardiography better by checking the heart under stress. It helps find heart problems or issues.
Cardiac biomarkers, like troponin, help spot heart attacks and see how severe the damage is. They help tell angina apart from heart attacks.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Angina (Chest Pain) – Diagnosis. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/angina/diagnosis
RadiologyInfo.org. Angina Pectoris – Diagnosis, Evaluation and Treatment. https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/anginapectoris
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Angina (Chest Pain) – Treatment. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/angina/treatment