Tests for heart and circulatory conditions
Tests are used to diagnose a heart condition or to see how healthy your heart is. Find out what to expect from some of the most common tests.
Have you recently had a heart attack?
We know this may be a frightening time if you've recently had a heart attack. If you need support, please call our Heart Helpline on 0300 330 3311 to speak to a cardiac nurse.
Looking for information on coronavirus (Covid-19)?
If you or someone you love is living with a heart and circulatory condition, or you're at increased risk from coronavirus (Covid-19), visit our coronavirus page for regularly updated information on a range of topics.
Symptoms of a heart attack
Heart attack symptoms vary from person to person. They can include:
- pain or discomfort in your chest that happens suddenly and doesn't go away
- pain that spreads to your left or right arm, or to your neck, jaw, back or stomach. For some people the pain or tightness is severe, while for others it’s uncomfortable. It may feel like heaviness, or a burning pain similar to indigestion
- feeling sick, sweaty, light-headed or short of breath.
It’s possible to have a heart attack without experiencing all these symptoms, and it’s important to remember everyone experiences pain differently. This is common in the elderly or people with diabetes, as the condition can cause nerve damage which affects how you feel pain.
Learn more about heart attack symptoms
Should I still call 999 or go to hospital if I'm worried about my health?
It's essential to dial 999 if you have symptoms that could be a heart attack, or if your heart symptoms get worse.
We are hearing that fewer people are being seen in hospital with heart attacks in recent weeks, which suggests that people are not seeking help when they should do. If you have any of the symptoms described above, you should call 999.
Don't delay because you think hospitals are too busy - the NHS still has systems in place to treat people for heart attacks. If you delay, you are more likely to suffer serious heart damage and more likely to need intensive care and to spend longer in hospital.
What should I do if I think I'm having a heart attack?
It’s important you get medical attention immediately. Don’t worry about wasting paramedics’ time – a heart attack is a medical emergency.
You should:
- call 999 for an ambulance
- sit down and stay calm
- take a 300mg aspirin if you have one within reach
- wait for the paramedics.
Women have heart attacks too
Women and men usually experience the same heart attack symptoms. But research shows women tend to not recognise the symptoms as a sign of a heart attack as quickly.
If you're experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, you should call 999 immediately.
In the UK, an average of three women die of coronary heart disease every hour, many of them due to a heart attack.
You dramatically reduce your chance of survival if you don't call 999 straight away.
Learn more about women and heart attacks
What causes a heart attack?
Most heart attacks are caused by coronary heart disease (CHD).
CHD causes your coronary arteries to become narrowed by a gradual build-up of fatty deposits called atheroma.
If a piece of atheroma breaks off, a blood clot forms around this to try and repair the damage to the artery wall.
This clot can block your coronary artery – either a partial blockage (known as NSTEMI) or total blockage (STEMI). This causes your heart muscle to be starved of blood and oxygen.
Other less common causes of a heart attack include:
- spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD)
- drug misuse
- hypoxia (a sudden drop in oxygen levels in the body).
How is a heart attack diagnosed?
The ambulance team will do an electrocardiogram (ECG) to detect whether you're having a heart attack.
If the ECG shows you’re having a heart attack, you’re likely to have emergency treatment as soon as you arrive in hospital.
If the ECG doesn’t confirm a heart attack you might need further tests to investigate if you are having a heart attack, including:
- an assessment of your symptoms and medical history
- physical examinations, including measuring your blood pressure and monitoring your heart rhythm and heart rate
- blood tests including a troponin test to detect if there’s been any damage to your heart muscle
- further ECGs
- an echocardiogram.
You might hear a heart attack being called acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction (MI) or coronary thrombosis while you're at hospital.
The Ticker Tapes Podcast
Jean Peet had a heart attack while putting on her walking boots one Sunday morning during lockdown in May 2020. Hear her story and other real experiences from people living with heart and circulatory diseases.
How is a heart attack treated?
Quick treatment to get the blood flowing to your heart muscle again is important. This can reduce the amount of permanent damage to your heart and save your life.
Many people need to have emergency treatment to restore the blood flow:
- Coronary angioplasty re-opens the blocked coronary artery by inserting one or more stents. This helps keep the narrowed artery open.
- Thrombolysis involves giving you ‘clot-busting’ medicine to dissolve the blood clot that's blocking the coronary artery.
- Coronary bypass surgery helps to restore normal blood flow by using a blood vessel from your leg, arm or chest in your heart to bypass the blocked artery.
You might not have these treatments if your doctor decides it's not safe or necessary.
Cardiac rehabilitation
After a heart attack, you should be referred to cardiac rehabilitation, or cardiac rehab for short. The aim is to support and guide you on your road to recovery.
Each group is slightly different, but involves regular assessments, advice and talks from experts, exercise sessions and group discussions.
Recovering from a heart attack
You'll usually stay in hospital for about two to five days after having a heart attack. This depends on what treatment you've had and how well you're recovering.
Many people make a full recovery after a heart attack, but you might not be able to do everything you used to. Going to cardiac rehabilitation can help you get back to normal as quickly as possible.
A heart attack can be a frightening experience and it can take time to come to terms with what's happened. It’s natural to be worried about your recovery, feel scared, frustrated and isolated.
For support and advice, visit our emotional support page.
Practical matters like driving, going back to work or finances might be a worry after a heart attack. You can get support and advice on these topics and more on our practical support page.
- Hear from Mark who was 39 when he had a heart attack.
Are you finding it hard to get medical help?
We know that many of you are experiencing delays to treatment at this time, or have questions and concerns about getting medical help. We've created this set of information to help you with these issues.
If you are having emergency heart attack symptoms, do not wait for an appointment and call 999 immediately.
How can I reduce my risk of having heart attack?
We often speak about the part risk factors play in causing heart and circulatory conditions. There are some risk factors you can control, and some you can't.
The good news is there are many things you can do to be healthier and reduce your risk:
- eat healthily
- be physically active
- keep to a healthy weight and lose weight if necessary
- don't smoke
- cut down on alcohol
- control high blood pressure
- control cholesterol levels
- control blood sugar levels (if you have diabetes).
Risk factors you can't control include:
- family history
- a previous heart attack
- age.
Everyone aged between 40-74 is eligible for a free NHS Health Check in England. If you have a family history of heart and circulatory disease, it’s important to let your GP know and arrange a health check.
Similar schemes are available in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
If you've already had a heart attack, your risk of having another one is greatly reduced with the correct treatment. Take the medicines your doctors have prescribed and follow a healthy lifestyle.
Heart attack - your quick guide
This short illustrated leaflet explains the symptoms and causes of a heart attack and the possible treatments for it. It also tells you what to expect from the recovery process and answers some common questions.
Get this publication
Heart Helpline & other support:
- Call our Heart Helpline on 0300 330 3311 between Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
- Speak to others with heart conditions by joining a support group or online community.
- Sign up to our Heart Matters magazine and online information packed with health and lifestyle advice.
Related information
Treatments for heart and circulatory conditions
You may be having planned or emergency treatment. We explain what to expect, how it will help and what will happen afterwards.
Support
Being diagnosed or living with a heart or circulatory condition can be overwhelming. Find out about the practical and emotional challenges, along with support for you and your family.
Page last reviewed: October 2019
Next review due: October 2022