Echocardiogram
Heart ultrasound provides your doctor with moving images of your heart and take excellent pictures that will help your doctor evaluate your hearts health. The most common type of heart ultrasound is noninvasive and very easy on the patient. A specially trained technician (Cardiac Sonographer), uses a gel to slide a microphone like device called a transducer over the chest area. This allows reflected sound waves to provide live pictures of your heart and valves. Heart Ultrasound uses the same technology that allows doctors to see an unborn baby inside a pregnant mother. No radiation is involved in an echocardiogram, and the technology can be used on people of all ages.
Echocardiogram is a useful tool in evaluating:
• The overall function of your heart
• Heart size and volume function
• Valve function
• Determine the presences of many types of heart disease
How to prepare for your echocardiogram:
• You are allowed to eat befor the exam unless told otherwise
• Wear comfortable clothes (pants and buttonup shirt is recommended)
• Take all your medications directed by your doctor (unless told otherwise)
What To Expect During A Test
• You will be asked to remove your clothing from the waist up, and you will be instructed to put on a linen gown opening in the front. (jewelry can stay on)
• You will then be asked to lie on the bed while the tech prepares to place electrodes (sticky patches with wires to detect heart rhythm)
• Depending on the technician, you will be asked to lie on your back or left side. That allows the heart to come closer to the chest wall and for more accurate measurements.
• The technician will be using an instrument called a “transducer”. He/she will then place some clear water based gel on the transducer. This is used to improve images. (Gel will feel wet and cold). The sonographer will then move the transducer over your chest to obtain different views of your heart
• You will hear a lot of different sounds during the test: Some are the technician recording the images for the doctor; some are taking measurements are some swooshing sounds. Those sounds are normal to hear. It is your blood traveling through your valves.
• The test usually takes about 20-25 minutes depending on the technician and the patients. Unfortunately each patient is different and some studies are easier than others This can be due to tissue density, scar tissue, body mass etc. After the test is complete you will re-dress and the test is complete.
FAQ’s
How safe is echocardiography? Echocardiography is extremely safe. There are no known risks from the clinical use of ultrasound during this type of testing.
How long does it take? A brief examination in an uncomplicated case may be done within 15 to 20 minutes. The additional use of Doppler may add an additional 10 to 20 minutes
When can I expect to receive the results? The doctor is not routinely present during the test and you may have to wait from one to several days before the images have been reviewed by a physician and the results are sent to you by phone or mail.