Name:

S. Masooma Zahra Bukhari

Class:
BS Biochemistry
Roll No:
BS-BCE-20-30
Submitted to:
Mam Batool

Topic:
Cardiac Function Test

What is a Cardiac Funtion test?

A cardiac function test is a type of diagnostic test that measures how
well your heart is working and detects any signs of heart disease or
damage. There are different kinds of cardiac function tests, such as
blood tests, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, stress test,
nuclear imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Purpose:
The purpose of a cardiac function test is to assess your heart’s structure,
function, rhythm, blood flow, and oxygen demand. Depending on the
type of test, it can also reveal any abnormalities or blockages in your
coronary arteries, heart valves, or heart muscle. A cardiac function test
can help diagnose various heart conditions, such as coronary artery
disease (CAD), heart failure, arrhythmia, valve disease, cardiomyopathy,
and congenital heart defects. It can also help evaluate your risk of having
a heart attack or stroke, monitor your response to treatment, and guide
your management plan.12345

Examples Of Cardiac Function Test?

Blood tests:
These tests measure the levels of certain substances in your blood, such
as cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoproteins, proteins, glucose, insulin,
homocysteine, and C-reactive protein. These substances can indicate
your risk of developing heart disease, inflammation, diabetes, or blood
clots.

There are a number of different blood tests for heart function. They
include:

1-Cholesterol-related tests

• Total cholesterol.
 • Triglycerides.
• High-density lipoprotein (HDL or the “good” cholesterol), which
eliminates bad cholesterol.
• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL or the “bad” cholesterol), which can
build up in arteries.
2-Protein-related tests

• Lipoprotein (a), an additional lipoprotein that is present in some

people and increased heart risk.
• Apolipoprotein B (ApoB), a protein that is included in bad
cholesterol.
• Fibrinogen, a protein in your blood that helps it clot.
• Aminoterminal, pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), a
protein your heart makes which is increased in heart failure.

Electrocardiogram (ECG):
This test records the electrical activity of your heart and the rhythm and
strength of your heartbeat. It can detect any irregularities, such as
arrhythmia, heart block, or ischemia (lack of oxygen to the heart
muscle). An ECG can be done at rest or during exercise (stress test).
Stress test:
This test measures how your heart responds to physical exertion or
medication that increases your heart rate and blood pressure. It can
reveal any signs of reduced blood flow to your heart muscle (ischemia)
or abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia) that may occur during exercise.
A stress test can be done with an ECG, echocardiogram, or nuclear
imaging.
Nuclear imaging:
This test uses a radioactive tracer that is injected into your bloodstream
and travels to your heart. A special camera then captures images of your
heart and the tracer’s distribution. It can show how much blood is
reaching your heart muscle and how well your heart is pumping. It can
also identify any areas of scar tissue or damage from a previous heart
attack. A nuclear imaging test can be done at rest or during stress.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI):
This test uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed
images of your heart and blood vessels. It can provide information about
the structure, function, and blood flow of your heart, as well as the
presence and extent of any damage or disease. An MRI can also show
the anatomy and function of your aorta and other major arteries.
Mechanism:
The mechanism of a cardiac function test depends on the type of test and
the equipment used. Generally, a cardiac function test involves attaching
electrodes, sensors, or probes to your chest, arms, or legs, and
connecting them to a monitor or a recorder. You may also need to wear a
blood pressure cuff, a pulse oximeter, or a mouthpiece. Some tests may
require you to exercise on a treadmill or a bike, or to receive an injection
of a medication or a tracer. During the test, the device will record or
display various parameters, such as your heart rate, blood pressure,
oxygen saturation, electrical activity, sound waves, images, or tracer
uptake. A technician, a nurse, or a doctor will supervise the test and
interpret the results.

Normal Range:

55 to 70% – Normal heart function.

40 to 55% – Below normal heart function. Can indicate previous heart damage from heart attack
or cardiomyopathy. Higher than 75% – Can indicate a heart condition like hypertrophic
cardiomyopathy, a common cause of sudden cardiac arrest.

Enzymes:

• Creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) and myoglobin (MB) help healthcare

providers measure heart damage from a heart attack. Some labs reference CPK
 as creatinine kinase (CK). CPK or CK is known as the “muscle enzyme.” You
may also see the two enzymes written as CPK-MB or CK-MB.
• Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) can be a sign of myocardial ischemia. This
blood flow problem in your heart can occur due to coronary artery disease (CAD)
or coronary spasm. Healthcare providers usually order an IMA test along with
an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to confirm or rule out ACS.
• Peptides can signify stress on the heart from heart failure. Healthcare providers
may test for natriuretic peptides (NPs). Or you may have tests for A-, B- or C-
type atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP, BNP or CNP) or N-terminal proBNP (NT-
proBNP).
• C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine and soluble CD40 ligand indicate
heart inflammation, possibly from atherosclerosis. Your provider may look at
CRP levels to gauge your risk of future heart problems.