Screening tests can lead to early diagnosis and treatment. They are often given to people without symptoms, but who may be at high risk.
Some tests that are done during routine exams can help identify people at risk, such as:
Screening Tests for People at High Risk
Organizations differ on their screening guidelines for CAD. These tests be given to people at high risk:
Elevated C-reactive is a protein marker found in the blood. It appears when there is an inflammatory response in the body. A level that is high raises the risk of CAD.
An ECG records the electrical activity of the heart to look for changes in heart rhythm. It can also show if the heart has been damaged.
This is a type of CT scan that can show calcium levels in the arteries of the heart. The results are shown as a calcium score. Calcium buildup is a marker of CAD.
An ankle-brachial index test measures blood pressure at the ankle and arm. Lower pressure at the ankle points to a blockage between the heart and leg. This may be a sign of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which is a problem caused by atherosclerosis.
IMT measures the thickness of the two innermost layers of the artery wall to look for signs of atherosclerosis.
References
C-reactive protein (CRP) as cardiac risk factor. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/evaluation/c-reactive-protein-crp-as-cardiac-risk-factor. Accessed April 27, 2022.
Coronary artery disease (CAD). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/coronary-artery-disease-cad. Accessed April 27, 2022.
What is coronary heart disease? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/coronary-heart-disease. Accessed April 27, 2022.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board James P. Cornell, MD
- Review Date: 11/2021
- Update Date: 05/02/2022