While much remains unknown and as researchers are learning more about COVID-19, the NBA ensured cardiac screen is part of its extensive health and safety protocols. An abundance of caution rules the day, and heart injuries from COVID-19 are something other sports will need to watch, too The screening is three-pronged: troponin testing – which can detect heart injury in the blood; electrocardiogram – which measures heart function; and an echocardiogram – which generates images of the heart to assess left ventricular function. “All three have to be done, and it’s really a comprehensive way to screen for active inflammation or damage to the muscle as well as perhaps a prior episode,” Martinez said.