Hi, and thank you for your question.

First and foremost, I would recommend speaking to your doctor immediately about your questions, especially if you suspect you've had a heart attack.

To get the conversation started, here is an overview of the diagnostic tests your doctor will perform to detect if you've indeed had a heart attack.

• The patient will report all symptoms so that a health professional can rule out either a non-heart problem or possible other serious accompany conditions.
• An electrocardiogram (ECG) reading is taken, which records the waves made the heart. It is the key tool for determining if heart problems are causing chest pain and, if so, how severe they are.
• Blood tests showing elevated levels of certain factors (troponins and CK-MB) indicate heart damage. (The doctor will not wait for results, however, before administering treatment if a heart attack is strongly suspected.)
• Imaging tests, including echocardiogram and perfusion scintigraphy, help rule out a heart attack if there is any question.

For more information on heart attack, please also read the following:

Heart Attack Symptoms and Warning Signs

Heart Attack Treatments