Echocardiogram

What is an Echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram is a test that uses ultrasound to create images of the heart. An ultrasound sends sound waves through the area of the body being studied to create images of internal body structures. The test is also known as an echo and a cardiac echo. Echocardiograms are done to learn about:

  • The heart chambers and heart muscle – Technicians take measurements of the heart chambers and the thickness (size) of the heart muscle. Enlarged heart chambers may indicate heart failure while thickened chamber walls may indicate chronic high blood pressure.
  • The heart’s pumping strength – Patients who have had a heart attack often have damaged areas of heart muscle. These areas do not pump as effectively as healthy areas of the heart.
  • Valve function – The test shows the size, shape and functioning of the heart valves. This is useful in diagnosing “narrow” valves (aortic stenosis, mitral stenosis, and pulmonary stenosis) or “leaking” valves (aortic regurgitation, mitral valve regurgitation). An echo is helpful for following your progress if you have had surgery to replace a heart valve.
  • Other problems – An echocardiogram is also useful to help the doctor find fluid around the heart (pericardial effusion), abnormal holes in the heart, blood clots and tumors within the heart.

What Happens during an Echocardiogram?

You will be asked to change into a gown and electrodes will be placed on your chest so that your heart rate and rhythm can be monitored during the test. You will lie on a special “echo” bed. The test takes about 30 minutes and is generally not painful or uncomfortable. At times the technician may need to press firmly with the probe or you may be asked to hold your breath or change position. These techniques help the technician get the best possible pictures of your heart.

Occasionally, the technician may inject a small amount of a dye through an IV (a small line placed in your arm) to better see the inside of the heart. The pictures are stored on tape or digital media for your doctor to review later. Typically there are three types of tests done during an echo:

  • The M-mode is used to measure the thickness of the heart walls and the size of each chamber.
  • The 2-D mode is used to assess the shape and motion of the heart structures.
  • Doppler mode helps the doctor understand how the blood is flowing through the valves and chambers of the heart.

How do I Prepare for an Echo?

To prepare for an echo you should:

  • Wear two piece clothing. Do not put any topical powders or lotions on your chest area as this can cause problems with the electrodes that will be placed around your chest area.
  • Allow 1 hour for the test.

What happens after the Test

After the test, you can go home and resume your normal activities. Your doctor will review your test and discuss the results with you at your next visit or his nurse will call you with your results.

What are the Risks and Limitations of an Echo?

There is no risk associated with an echo. If you are very overweight or have a serious lung disease such as emphysema, it may be hard to get good images of your heart. In this case, you may need a different type of echo or another procedure.