Does every patient have all the tests?

No. Which tests you need is decided according to your symptoms and examination findings.

My ECG was normal. Does that mean my heart is healthy?

A normal ECG is useful information, but on its own it does not rule out every heart condition. Especially if it was not taken during symptoms, further tests may be requested when needed.

Can I carry on with daily life while wearing a Holter?

Yes. You are asked to carry on with your normal daily activities during the recording. The device must not get wet. Noting the time whenever you have symptoms makes the result easier to interpret.

Do I need to fast for a cholesterol test?

In most cases, no. If a test that requires fasting is planned, you will be told in advance.

In case of sudden chest pain, shortness of breath or fainting, call 112.

Consultation and diagnostic tests: ECG, echo, palpitations, cholesterol

A heart consultation starts with listening to your symptoms. Which diagnostic tests you need, such as an ECG, echocardiography, an exercise test, Holter monitoring or blood tests, is decided during the consultation.

What is it?

A heart consultation starts with a conversation about your symptoms, past illnesses, the medicines you take and any heart disease in your family. Your blood pressure is then measured and your heart and lungs are listened to. This information determines which tests are needed. Palpitations are the feeling that your heart is beating fast, irregularly or forcefully. They can have harmless causes, but they can also be a sign of a rhythm disorder. To find the cause, the rhythm needs to be recorded during symptoms with an ECG or with longer-term rhythm monitoring (a Holter). Measuring cholesterol and other blood fats is part of assessing cardiovascular risk. Blood fats are considered together with other risk factors such as blood pressure, diabetes and smoking, and targets are set for each person.

Who is it for?

People with chest pain, a feeling of pressure in the chest, or breathlessness on exertion
People who have palpitations, dizziness or fainting
People with high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol, and people who smoke
People with a family history of heart disease at a young age
Patients with known heart disease who need regular check-ups

Before the procedure

When you come for your consultation, bring a list of all your medicines and any previous blood test, ECG, echocardiography or angiography results. Noting when your symptoms started, how long they last and what makes them worse helps the consultation. In most cases a cholesterol test can be done without fasting; if you need to fast, you will be told in advance. If an exercise test is planned, wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Some medicines may need to be paused before the test, but only do this as your doctor instructs.

How is it done?

Consultation and history: Your symptoms and risk factors are discussed, your blood pressure is measured and your heart is listened to. This is where it is decided which tests you need.
ECG: Electrodes placed on the chest and limbs record the electrical activity of the heart in a few minutes. Rhythm disturbances and signs of a previous heart attack can be seen.
Echocardiography (echo): An ultrasound scan over the chest shows the size of the heart, how strongly it squeezes and how the valves work.
Exercise test and other imaging: If needed, your ECG and blood pressure are monitored while you walk on a treadmill, to assess symptoms and changes that appear with exertion. Some patients may be asked to have a CT scan of the heart arteries or other imaging tests.
Rhythm and blood pressure monitoring: A rhythm Holter is a small portable device that records your heart rhythm over a day or longer, helping to find the cause of palpitations. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring measures your blood pressure at set intervals throughout the day.
Blood tests: Cholesterol (lipid profile), blood sugar, kidney function and, if needed, other tests are checked.

Recovery

Your test results are reviewed together with the examination findings and explained to you. Even if no heart disease is found, your doctor may recommend regular check-ups if you have risk factors. For high cholesterol, the target level is set according to your overall cardiovascular risk. Diet, regular physical activity, stopping smoking and, if needed, medication are used to reach this target. If you take medication, your blood fats are measured again at check-ups.

Risks

In case of sudden chest pain that does not go away, sudden severe breathlessness or fainting, do not wait for an appointment; call 112. ECG, echocardiography and Holter recordings are painless and involve no radiation. There may be mild skin irritation where the Holter electrodes are attached and a small bruise where blood is taken. Because the heart is monitored under exertion during an exercise test, a rhythm disturbance or chest pain can rarely occur; for this reason the test is supervised by a doctor and stopped straight away if needed. Your doctor will discuss the possible risks of any recommended test with you separately.

Frequently asked questions

Does every patient have all the tests? No. Which tests you need is decided according to your symptoms and examination findings.
My ECG was normal. Does that mean my heart is healthy? A normal ECG is useful information, but on its own it does not rule out every heart condition. Especially if it was not taken during symptoms, further tests may be requested when needed.
Can I carry on with daily life while wearing a Holter? Yes. You are asked to carry on with your normal daily activities during the recording. The device must not get wet. Noting the time whenever you have symptoms makes the result easier to interpret.
Do I need to fast for a cholesterol test? In most cases, no. If a test that requires fasting is planned, you will be told in advance.

Medical content reviewed and approved by Prof. Dr. Barış Kılıçaslan. Last updated: 4 October 2026. Editor: Baran Zeydan (info@clinixcrm.app).