How is Valve Disease Diagnosed?

Valve disease is diagnosed in the following ways:

• Chest x-ray to check for heart enlargement.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) to assess the electrical activity of the heart and to diagnose abnormalities, such as a previous heart attack.
• Echocardiogram (echo) to check valve function and heart size by ultrasound.
• Nuclear ventriculogram to evaluate the pumping function of the heart (Ejection Fraction).
• Cardiac catheterization to diagnose coronary artery disease and evaluate previous heart attacks.