Heart failure symptoms should be reported to a healthcare provider. This is especially important if you have high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, or have had a heart attack.

A healthcare professional may check for heart failure by doing a physical exam. This exam may include:

• Checking vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, temperature, weight, and oxygen level
• Listening to your heart and lungs
• Checking your legs for swelling
• Feeling your belly to see if the liver is enlarged
• Looking at the veins in your neck to see if they are bulging

Common Heart Tests

You may need more tests to confirm heart failure and find out how severe it is. These tests can also help guide treatment.

Chest X-ray

A chest X-ray can show if the heart is enlarged or if there is fluid in the lungs. These may be signs of heart failure, heart valve problems, or thickening of the heart muscle.

Echocardiogram (Echo) and Echo Stress Test

This test uses sound waves (ultrasound) to create pictures of your heart while it beats. It can be done while you are lying down. Sometimes it is done while you walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bike.

This test also measures how well your heart pumps blood. This is called the ejection fraction.

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) and ECG Stress Test

This test measures the heart’s electrical activity. Small sticky pads (electrodes) are placed on the chest, arms, and legs. Wires connect the pads to a machine that records the heart’s rhythm.

The test may be done while you are lying down. It can also be done while you walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bike. Sometimes a medication is given to make the heart work harder, similar to exercise.

CT Coronary Angiogram

This special X-ray shows how the heart and the arteries that supply blood to the heart are working. The test may include:

• Exposure to a small amount of radiation
• An injection of contrast dye
• A medication to slow the heart rate slightly

A CT angiogram can show blocked arteries, but blockages cannot be treated during this test.

Nuclear Stress Test

A nuclear stress test may be used to check for causes of shortness of breath or chest pain. A small amount of radioactive dye is injected, and pictures of the heart are taken.

Pictures may be taken while you are resting or exercising on a treadmill or stationary bike. Sometimes a medication is given to make the heart beat faster.

This test can show damaged areas of the heart, enlarged areas, or problems with blood flow. It also measures how well the heart pumps blood (the ejection fraction).

Last Updated April 2026