No, this is not about being heartbroken. Rather, a more important aspect of your health is at stake. Heart attack may come without warning and sometimes, it is too late to get treated if you have been ignoring the symptoms for a long time. But for a vigilant individual, it is possible that a cardiologist may request for various heart tests to find out if you are at risk of any disease. Take a look at the most common diagnostic procedures so you can prepare your budget.
Reason For The Tests
We found out that heart related diseases are among the most common causes of deaths in the Philippines. A report from Philippine News Agency indicates that heart problems are the top causes of mortality in the country at about 19% of the total deaths.* This is probably why there is an increase of heart test searches to find out how much they cost.
List of Heart Tests
For your convenience, here are some of the most common tests for the heart that you can do to keep your health in check.
2D Echo
You have probably heard of this test and wonder what it does to your heart. Basically, it uses sound waves to create an image of the organ. Sometimes called simply as echocardiogram, the doctor can see the different parts of the heart and how blood flows through it. The price of 2D echo in Philippine hospitals range from Php 2,800 to Php 9,000.
Here’s the price list of 2D echo in some hospitals:
- Lung Center of the Philippines (plain): ₱2,640
- Medicus Medical Center: ₱4,200
- New World Diagnostics (with doppler): ₱2,555
- Makati Medical Center: ₱9,300
- Baguio General Hospital: ₱2,650
ECG
One of the basic types of heart diagnostics is the Echocardiogram or ECG (EKG). Based on our research, this tests is usually included in routine diagnostics that you can avail in clinics. ECG detects any abnormal patterns in your heart beat. In the Philippines, ECG price starts from as low as Php 250 and above.
For your reference, here is the price list of ECG in major hospitals:
- Perpetual Succor Hospital (Manila): ₱250
- Lung Center of the Philippines (12 LEAD ECG): ₱460
- Makati Medical Center: ₱1,080
- New World Diagnostics (Davao): ₱375
- Capitol Medical Center (Quezon City): ₱918.75
- Western Visayas Medical Center Iloilo: ₱200
See: Best Heart Hospital for Surgery
Stress Test
It is actually a type of ECG only this time you will walk or run on a treadmill. The main purposes is to monitor your heart’s performance while under stress. Doctors may recommend this procedure for those with angina, had a bypass surgery or had a heart attack. Another version of the test is with the use of a stationary bike. the average price of stress test ranges from Php 1,600 to Php 4,000 (depending on the package).
Take a look at the price list of hospitals for the test.
| Hospital | Price |
|---|---|
| East Avenue Medical Center (treadmill echo) | ₱4,200 |
| New World Diagnostics | ₱4,200 |
| Westerns Visayas Medical Center (stress echocardiogram) | ₱4,500 |
| Hi Precision (treadmill test only) | ₱1,600 |
| Myhealth Clinics (package) | ₱7,000 |
Are these tests covered by my health card? Most of heart diagnostic tests are covered by HMO. However, there are certain requirements and limitations. For one, the accredited doctor should have prescribed the type of exam.
What Test Should I Get?
Your cardiologist will give you an explanation as to what diagnostic procedure is best for your. When you came for consultation, you provided a set of symptoms that are bothering you. Initially, the ECG may be recommended by the doctor since it can detect abnormalities in the heart with a simple procedure. If results are abnormal, you will progress to a more advanced test.
References:
Heart diseases leading cause of death in PH in 2023
About the Author: The MedicalPinas team publishes articles to help Filipinos find info on various medical services and their prices.