Diseases » Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy » Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Diagnostic Test list for Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy:

The list of medical tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy includes:

Tests and diagnosis discussion for Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy:

By listening through a stethoscope, a physician may hear the abnormal heart sounds characteristic of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy The electrocardiogram (EKG, or ECG) may help diagnose the condition by detecting changes in the electrical activity of the heart as it beats.

Echocardiography is one of the best tools for diagnosing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It uses sound waves to detect the extent of muscle-wall thickening and to assess the status of the heart's functioning.

Physicians also may request radionuclide studies to gather added information about the disease's effect on how the heart is pumping blood.

Other tests that also may provide useful information are the chest x ray, cardiac catheterization , and a heart muscle biopsy. (Source: excerpt from NHLBI, Cardiomyopathy: NHLBI)