Echocardiogram
WHAT IS AN ECHOCARDIOGRAM?
An echocardiogram (echo) is a test that uses high-frequency sound waves to take pictures of your heart. The test is also called echocardiography or diagnostic cardiac ultrasound.
QUICK FACTS
√ An echo uses sound waves to create pictures of your heart’s chambers, valves, walls and the blood vessels attached to your heart.
√ A probe called a transducer is passed over your chest, producing sound waves that bounce off your heart and “echo” back to the probe. These waves are changed into pictures viewed on a video monitor.
WHY WOULD A PATIENT NEED AN ECHO?
A doctor may use an echo test to look at the heart’s structure and check how well it functions.
The test helps doctors find out:
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√ The size and shape of the heart, and the size, thickness and movement of the heart walls.
√ How the heart moves.
√ The heart’s pumping strength.
√ If the heart valves are working correctly.
√ If blood is leaking backward through the heart valves.
√ If the heart valves are too narrow.
√ If there is a tumor or infectious growth around the heart valves.
The test also will help your doctor find out if there are:
√ Problems with the outer lining of the heart or the large blood vessels that enter and leave the heart.
√ Blood clots in the chambers of the heart.
√ Abnormal holes between the chambers of the heart.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN ECHO?
Echo tests are done by specially trained technicians. You may have your test done in your doctor’s office, an emergency room, an operating room, a hospital clinic or a hospital room. The test takes about an hour.
√ During the test, you will lie on a table. and A technician places electrodes on your chest, which are connected to an electrocardiograph machine. The room may be dark so your technician can better see the machine’s video monitor.
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√ The room is dark so your technician can better see the video monitor.
√ Your technician puts gel on your chest to help sound waves pass through your skin, and they may ask you to move or hold your breath briefly to get better pictures.
√ The probe is passed across your chest, producing sound waves that bounce off your heart and “echo” back to the probe.
√ The sound waves are changed into images, displayed on a video monitor, and recorded so your doctor can look at them later.