Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 4 minutes ago

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There is no single test for heart failure. Blood tests and imaging like chest x-rays and electrocardiograms (ECG or EKG) are often used to diagnose heart failure, while tests like exercise tolerance testing or angiograms can help identify the cause of your heart failure. Some devices used to manage heart failure include:

- Pacemaker
- Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
- Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)
- Left ventricular assist device (LVAD)

Additional Resources
‎If you require travel and/or transportation support to receive care, there are resources available to you.

- Travel and accommodation assistance for accessing healthcare away from home in BC: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/tap-bc

- First Nations Health Authority Medical Transportation Benefit: fnha.ca/benefits/medical-transportation

- Métis citizens can contact the MNBC Ministry of Health and Wellness to access the Essential Medical Travel Assistance Program (EMTAP): mnbc.ca/emtap

- Northern Health Connections Medical Bus Service: nhconnections.ca/about-us

- Hope Air: visit hopeair.ca, call 1-877-346-4673 or email info@hopeair.ca

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:15 Access to heart tests
2:00 Diagnostic tests
2:20 Blood tests
3:18 Chest X-ray
3:35 ECG or EKG
4:03 Echocardiogram
4:33 Testing the cause of heart failure
4:42 CT scan
5:07 MRI
5:32 Stress test
6:15 Exercise stress test
6:29 Stress echo treadmill test
6:42 Pharmacologic stress test
6:59 Angiogram
7:36 Nuclear tests
8:33 Cardiac devices
8:49 Pacemaker
9:05 ICD
9:27 CRT
9:49 LVAD
10:05 Scott's experience with heart failure tests and devices