Type of test | Purpose of the test | How the test is done |
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Blood tests | To learn if there is anything in your blood to test for any abnormalities. | Blood is taken from your arm and studied in the lab. |
Carotid Doppler | Helps recognize if there is a plaque build up narrowing your arteries and effecting blood flow. | Uses ultrasound to listen to the flow of your blood through your arteries. |
ECG/EKG (Electrocardiogram) | Records the electrical activity in the heart. | Sticky pads are placed on your body and these pads have sensors, which detects the electrical activity of your heart. |
Holter Monitor | Looks at abnormal heart rhythms. | It is a portable ECG and monitors your heart rhythm for a longer period of time. |
Echocardiogram | Determine if there is a heart condition and detects if blood clots are forming in your heart. | Uses ultrasound waves to create a picture of your heart. |
TEE (Trans-esophageal Echocardiogram) | Produces a picture of your heart and detects if your heart is producing blood clots. | Uses ultrasound waves to look at the structures of the heart. It is done by inserting a tube into the esophagus. You will be sedated for this test. |
CT Scan (Computerized Tomography) | Done to identify conditions in the brain. | You lay down in a scanner that takes picture of your brain using x-rays. |
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) | Used to visualize the brain to identify conditions. | You lay still in a scanner and it uses magnetic field and radio waves to produce a 3 dimensional picture of the brain. |
CTA (CT Angiography) | Visualizes blood flow in the arteries to detect any blockage or narrowing of the arteries. | Makes a 3 dimensional picture of the area using x-rays. |
MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography) | Visualizes blood flow in the arteries to detect any blocking or narrowing of the arteries. | You lay still in a scanner and it uses magnetic field and radio waves to take pictures of the blood vessels. |
Video Fluoroscopy or Modified Barium Swallow Study or Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallow (FEES) | Helps identify if you are at risk of food or drink entering your lungs (aspiration). | X-ray is to capture moving images of the food you are swallowing as it travels. |