Kidnapped by the SLA. On February 4, 1974, at the age of 19, Patty Hearst was taken hostage by members of the Symbionese Liberation Army, who aimed to garner a hefty ransom from her wealthy father.
There is also a blood test for B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), which can indicate active heart failure. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to assess the heart rate and rhythm. This test can often detect heart disease, heart attack, an enlarged heart, or abnormal heart rhythms that may cause heart failure.
Some of the first tests you may undergo include: 1  Electrocardiogram (ECG). This test records the electrical activity of your heart through electrodes attached to your skin. 2  Blood tests. Your doctor may order blood tests to check for increased levels of certain enzymes normally found in heart muscle. 3  Chest X-ray.