What's in a Cardiac Checkup Package? Every Common Test Explained

Cardiac checkup packages are common at Colombian hospitals and clinics, and they appeal to international visitors who want a thorough look at their heart in a single visit. The trouble is the menu. Packages list tests like ECG, ETT, TTE, lipid profile and CAC, and it is hard to tell what each one is for or whether you need it. This guide walks through the tests you are most likely to see, explains in plain English what each one looks for and what it cannot show, and ends with questions to ask before you book. For our deep dive on calcium scoring and what packages cost, see Heart Checkup in Colombia: Calcium Scores, Stress Tests and Package Prices.

How checkup packages are usually built

Packages vary by hospital, but most follow a similar structure. A basic tier often covers a consultation, core blood work and a resting ECG. Mid and upper tiers usually add a heart ultrasound (echocardiogram), an exercise stress test, or imaging such as a coronary calcium scan. Some also bundle general checks that are not specific to the heart.

The consultation and blood tests

Cardiology consultation

This is the most important part of any package, and the easiest to undervalue. A cardiologist reviews your history, symptoms, family history, medications and blood pressure, then interprets your results together. A package without a real consultation is just a list of numbers.

Lipid panel (cholesterol)

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), a lipid panel measures total cholesterol, LDL ("bad") cholesterol, HDL ("good") cholesterol and triglycerides, and it may also report non-HDL cholesterol. These numbers feed directly into your heart risk estimate. You may be asked to fast for 8 to 12 hours, though some labs accept non-fasting samples. Ask ahead.

Lipoprotein(a)

NHLBI notes that lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is not part of a routine lipid panel. Your level is largely set by your genes and stays fairly stable over your life. A high level can mean higher heart risk even when other cholesterol numbers look fine. It is often checked if you have a family history of early heart disease or stroke. If a package does not include it, ask whether it can be added.

Blood sugar and A1C

Diabetes is a major heart risk factor. The CDC explains that the A1C test reflects your average blood sugar over roughly the past two to three months, while a fasting glucose test measures it after an overnight fast. Packages typically include one or both.

Other common labs

Many packages also include a complete blood count, kidney function (creatinine) and sometimes thyroid or liver tests. These help the cardiologist interpret the rest of your results and flag conditions that affect heart care.

Tests of heart rhythm and structure

Resting electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

NHLBI describes the ECG as a recording of the heart's electrical activity that shows heart rate and rhythm. It is quick and painless. It can show signs of rhythm problems, a previous heart attack or a thickened heart muscle. Its limit is that it captures only a few seconds at rest, so a normal ECG does not rule out blocked arteries or intermittent rhythm problems.

Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)

Mayo Clinic explains that an echocardiogram uses sound waves to show the heart's size, wall movement and valves. It estimates the ejection fraction, the share of blood the left ventricle pumps out with each beat, and can detect leaky or narrowed valves. A standard transthoracic echo is done with a probe on the chest and usually takes under an hour. One important limit: a resting echo does not directly show blockages in the coronary arteries.

Holter monitor

A Holter monitor is a small recorder you wear during normal daily life, usually for one to two days, according to Mayo Clinic. It catches rhythm problems that a short ECG might miss. It is typically included or added when you have symptoms such as palpitations or dizziness.

Tests of blood flow and plaque

Exercise stress test

Mayo Clinic describes a stress test as a way to see how your heart performs during physical activity, which can reveal reduced blood flow that is not present at rest. In the most common version you walk on a treadmill or pedal a bike while your ECG and blood pressure are monitored. The whole visit takes about an hour, with about 15 minutes of exercise. If you cannot exercise, a medicine can be used to make the heart work harder.

Stress echo and nuclear stress tests

These add imaging to a stress test. A stress echocardiogram compares ultrasound images before and after exercise and can help identify blocked arteries that a resting echo would miss. A nuclear stress test uses a small amount of radioactive tracer and a special camera to show areas of poor blood flow. They are generally used when a plain exercise test is unclear or symptoms need more explanation.

Coronary calcium scan (CAC score)

A calcium scan is a short CT scan that measures calcified plaque in the heart arteries, reported as an Agatston score. Mayo Clinic says a score of zero suggests a low chance of a heart attack in the near term, while higher scores mean higher risk. It may be useful for people at intermediate or uncertain risk or with a strong family history. It is not useful if you have already had a stent or bypass, and it involves a small dose of radiation. Our calcium score guide covers this test in depth.

Coronary CT angiography

Some upper-tier packages offer a CT angiogram, which uses contrast dye to image the arteries themselves. It shows more than a calcium score, including non-calcified plaque, but it involves contrast and more radiation, so it is usually reserved for specific clinical questions rather than routine screening.

Is more testing always better?

It is tempting to pick the biggest package, but more tests can mean more false alarms. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an independent expert panel, recommends against screening with resting or exercise ECGs in adults without symptoms who are at low risk of heart disease. For people at intermediate or high risk, it found the evidence insufficient to recommend for or against. The concern is that an abnormal-looking result in a low-risk person can lead to more tests and procedures that carry their own risks without improving health.

The best approach is to let a cardiologist match the tests to your risk: your age, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, smoking history and family history. A good program will tell you when a test is unlikely to help you.

How to compare packages before you book

1. Get the full test list in writingAsk for every test by name, not just a tier label. "Executive cardiac checkup" can mean very different things at different hospitals.
2. Confirm the cardiologist reviewAsk whether a cardiologist interprets the results and meets with you to explain them, and whether you can ask follow-up questions after you leave.
3. Ask what happens if something is abnormalFind out whether further tests can be done on the same trip and how they are priced, so you are not surprised.
4. Check timing and preparationAsk how many days the package takes and whether you need to fast, stop caffeine or adjust medications beforehand. Stress tests often require avoiding caffeine.
5. Bring your past resultsPrevious ECGs, echoes and lab work allow comparison over time, which is often more informative than a single snapshot. See our records checklist.
6. Leave with copiesAsk for every report, and images where relevant, ideally in English, so your doctor at home can review them.
7. Check the institutionConfirm the hospital's accreditation status yourself. Our accreditation guide shows how.

Frequently asked questions

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. It does not replace an evaluation by a qualified cardiologist who knows your history. Always follow the instructions of your own care team. Colombia Heart is an information and referral service, not a hospital or medical provider.