Screenings &
Diagnostic Tests

A cardiac catheterization is a commonly performed procedure that looks for narrowing or blockages in the heart blood vessels (arteries). This test also offers information about the inside heart chamber size, outside heart size, heart’s pumping ability, and how well the valves open and close. A small flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into an arm or leg blood vessel and gently advanced to the heart. Blood pressure measurements are taken and several X-ray pictures (angiograms) are recorded using digital imaging and/or 35mm film.