Echocardiogram

What is an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram is a diagnostic test that uses ultrasound technology to provide information about your heart function and major arteries of the heart. This test helps detect heart and blood vessel problems or monitor the treatment of a previously diagnosed heart condition.

Echocardiogram provide information about:

• Your heart’s anatomy
• Your heart’s muscle function
• The integrity of your heart valves
• Heart murmurs 
• Reasons for conditions like heart failure and stroke

Why might I require an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram is helpful in the following situations: 

• To evaluate the cause of shortness of breath
• Patients with a Heart Murmur
• To assess the heart function after a heart attack
• To assess the heart function in a patient known to have Coronary artery disease
• Patients with Hypertension
• Patients who have had a history of losing consciousness / passing out
• Patients with established Heart disease
• Patients with H/O Chest pain
• Patients with Palpitations / Irregular or fast heart beat
• Current treatment for heart disease
• To evaluate patients complaining of fatigue, weakness, or difficulty exercising

What should I expect during an echocardiogram? 

It is just an Ultrasound of the heart. It is a noninvasive test that is performed by a specially trained person called Sonographer. An ultrasound gel is placed on a probe called transducer that is placed on the left side of the chest over the area of the heart. Images are acquired with the patient laying on a special exam table. These are recorded and stored in a computer for subsequent evaluation and reporting by the Cardiologist.

If you want to be proactive about your health and get screened for heart problems early, call Mt. Vernon Heart Institute today or use the online scheduler.