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What is an Echocardiogram (Heart Ultrasound)?
What is an Echocardiogram (Heart Ultrasound)?“Take a deep breath in…and hold your breath.”An echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to make pictures of your heart. It can check your heart’s size,thickness, and pumping ability.“The more common symptoms that we see, which we use an echocardiogram for, are chest discomfort, shortnessof breath, losing consciousness, dizziness. It’s one of the most versatile tests we have in cardiology.”-Dr. RajivChandra, MD, CardiologistBefore the test you’ll change into a hospital gown. Then, you’ll lie on a table.A technician will place small sticky patches called electrodes on your chest. Those will be attached to anelectrocardiogram machine—also called an ECG or EKG—which will monitor your heartbeat during the test.“One more, little spot of gel.”The technician will use gel and a device called a transducer to take images of your heart. As the transducer is movedback and forth over the front and side of your chest, it sends sound waves into the body. The sound waves bounceback to the device and are converted into images that are displayed on a monitor. You may hear a whooshing soundduring the test. That’s blood flowing through your heart.“The technician may ask the patient to either hold their breath or change their position to capture a better angle ofthe heart.”-Lisa De Angelis, Technician“So, we’re all finished.”The test should take less than an hour. Then you can go home.“So, if your test is negative, which means it came back benign it probably is either not your heart, or your doctorneeds to do other testing to see what it is. If the test comes back positive, which means there is a problem withyour heart, your doctor will then explain to you what the next step is, and how best to treat it.”- Dr. RajivChandra, MD, CardiologistPage 1 of 1This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG5319298 EN WhatIsAnEchocardiogramHeartUltrasound.pdf© The Wellness Network
Heart & Vascular Center
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