Your healthcare provider asks you about your symptoms and health history and performs a physical exam. They may listen to your heartbeat with a stethoscope to check for signs of irregularities. Usually, the first test is an electrocardiogram (EKG). An EKG measures your heart rate and evaluates the electrical signals in your heart. Your provider usually can see an arrhythmia or extra beats clearly on …
Ventricular Fibrillation
A provider can confirm a ventricular fibrillation rhythm with an electrocardiogram (EKG), especially after resuscitating you from cardiac arrest. They can also diagnose it during cardiac arrest if you have a cardiac monitor on or an implanted cardiac device. They’ll also work to find out what caused ventricular fibrillation. A provider will collect your medical history and do a physical exam. They …
DiGeorge Syndrome (22q11.2 deletion syndrome)
DiGeorge syndrome can be detected prenatally based upon prenatal ultrasound results and amniocentesis. If not detected prior to delivery, your healthcare providers will likely diagnose DiGeorge syndrome soon after your child is born. They may request special tests if they suspect the condition based on symptoms such as seizures, unique facial characteristics or blood tests that show low calcium levels. What tests …
Vasovagal Syncope
Diagnosing vasovagal syncope often begins with a physical examination. During the physical exam, your doctor will listen to your heart and take your blood pressure. He or she may also massage the main arteries in your neck to see if that causes you to feel faint. Your doctor may also recommend several tests to rule out other possible causes of …
Nonallergic Rhinitis
Your health care provider will likely give you a physical exam and ask you about your symptoms. You’ll need tests to find out if something other than nonallergic rhinitis is causing your symptoms. You may have nonallergic rhinitis if: You have a stuffy nose. Your nose runs or mucus drips down the back of your throat. Tests for other health …
Vascular Rings
A healthcare provider may order some of the following tests to diagnose a vascular ring: Chest X-ray: A chest X-ray produces pictures of the inside of your baby’s body. It’s often one of the first tests performed during the diagnosis process. CT scan: A CT scan takes pictures of internal structures, including your baby’s heart, trachea and esophagus. Echocardiogram: Also called an echo, an echocardiogram creates moving …
Vascular Dementia
Confirming a diagnosis of vascular dementia needs evaluation by a specialist. There are many forms of dementia, and several of its symptoms overlap with other conditions. Your healthcare provider will: Ask about the course of your symptoms. Ask about your medical history. Review your current medications. Some medications can cause dementia-like symptoms. Ask about your biological family’s medical history. They’ll …
Smallpox
If a smallpox outbreak happened today, most health care providers probably wouldn’t recognize the virus in its early stages. This would allow the smallpox virus to spread. Even one case of smallpox would be a public health emergency. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention uses special labs to test tissue samples for smallpox. This test can tell for sure …
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are close to the surface of your skin and easy to see. Healthcare providers can diagnose the condition during a physical examination. They’ll feel your veins and examine them while you’re sitting and standing. They may also ask you questions about your medical history and your symptoms. What tests will be done to diagnose varicose veins? Providers usually don’t …
Varicocele
A healthcare provider can diagnose a varicocele. They’ll review your medical history, ask questions about your symptoms and perform a physical examination. During the physical exam, your provider may ask you to stand up, take a deep breath, hold your nose and mouth closed and strain to push air out. This is the Valsalva maneuver. They’ll feel your scrotum for enlarged veins …