What is it?
An Echocardiogram ( usually called an Echo) is a scan of the heart using ultrasound. This is a routine painless test which has no side effects. It is very similar to scans used on pregnant ladies.
Why is it done?
The Echo obtains pictures of the heart as it is beating to give the doctor information. They can look at the structure of your heart, how well the heart beats and how well the blood flows through the heart.
- It can be used to confirm that everything is normal
- It can help the doctor decide why someone might have a heart murmur
- To help follow the progress of some heart diseases
- To help check the effectiveness of medication
- To check on the progress of patients after surgery.
How is it done?
The Echo is performed by a technician or a doctor and takes approximately 15 minutes. You will be asked to strip to the waist and lie on a couch on your left side (this position makes it easier to see your heart). A small probe is covered with cold jelly and this is used to obtain images from different positions on the chest. When looking at the blood flow in the heart the machine makes noises which help with the interpretation of the scan. These noises don't mean there is anything wrong. You can usually see the pictures as they appear on the screen. The technician or doctor records the pictures on a video tape and takes a series of measurements. Using the information from the pictures and the measurements a report of the Echo is sent back to the doctor who requested it so that he can decide the best way to treat you.
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