A doctor making an atherosclerosis diagnosis will likely ask a series of questions followed by a physical exam. He or she then may recommend certain tests that can help with making a definitive diagnosis, such as an electrocardiogram, an echocardiogram, and an angiography. Other tests that can help a doctor make an atherosclerosis diagnosis include stress tests, blood tests, and chest x-rays.
There is no single test to diagnose atherosclerosis. Therefore, in order to help make an atherosclerosis diagnosis, your healthcare provider will ask a number of questions, including about subjects such as:
- Current symptoms
- Other medical conditions
- Current medications
- Atherosclerosis risk factors
- Family history of medical conditions, including heart disease or stroke.
Your healthcare provider will also likely perform a physical exam, looking for signs and symptoms of atherosclerosis, and may recommend certain tests and/or procedures to identify atherosclerosis or any associated complications.
Some of the tests your healthcare provider may recommend to help make an atherosclerosis diagnosis include:
- Blood tests
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- Chest x-ray
- Stress test
- Nuclear scan
- Ankle/brachial index
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
Your doctor uses your physical exam results, your risk factors, family history, and your symptoms to decide which test or tests to order.