Family Practice vs Internal Medicine. You may wonder if there is any difference between family practice and internal medicine. There need be no wonder as there are specific differences between family practice and internal medicine. When family medical practitioners deal with the comprehensive health of all individuals, internal medicine practitioners specialize in some category.
Common tests for heart function include: Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat. An ECG gives two major kinds of information. First, by measuring time intervals on the ECG, a doctor can determine how long the electrical wave takes to pass through the heart.
A stress test can be used to test for heart disease. Stress tests are tests performed by a doctor and/or trained technician to determine the amount of stress that your heart can manage before developing either an abnormal rhythm or evidence of ischemia (not enough blood flow to the heart muscle). The most commonly performed stress test is the exercise stress test.