- Need an echocardiogram?
If you have any signs of heart problems or are at risk for heart disease, your doctor may order tests to find out how well your heart works. One of these tests, an echocardiogram, is usually the first step.
An echocardiogram, also called an echo or a cardio diagnostic ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of your heart. It is a noninvasive test, which means that no instruments are inserted into your body. During the test, a specially trained technologist moves a small device called a transducer on your chest to take pictures of your heart.
Why do I need an echocardiogram?
Your doctor may order this test if you have symptoms of heart disease and other heart problems, including:
- chest pain
- Breathlessness
- heart murmurs, or unusual heart sounds
- Weariness
- Weakness
- a pounding, racing, or floating heart
what is an echocardiogram Show?
echocardiogram show your doctor:
- The size and shape of your heart
- The size, thickness and movement of walls of your heart
- the pumping power of your heart
- If your heart valves work the right way, and how well they work
what can I expect when echocardiography?
Before your test, you will remove all clothing above your waist and put on a hospital gown. The technologist will ask you to put on the side or back and put a special gel on the transducer to help move your chest.
The technologist will move the transducer back and forth, sometimes firmly. Sound waves are transmitted through the transducer to your heart and again, creating images.
No radiation or X-rays will be used. You can hear a whistle during the test, which is simply the sound of your heart pumping blood.
What my echocardiogram results?
After your test, your doctor will go over your results with you.
- normal results mean that your heart and its valves are working in the right way, and the amount of blood pumps your heart's normal.
- abnormal results may vary based on your health status, including problems with your rooms or heart valves, the amount of blood your heart pumps, where extra fluid around your heart, or if you have a tumor or a blood clot.
to make an appointment for an echocardiogram, visit the Heart and Vascular Institute at UPMC or call 1-855-UPMC-HVI (876 -2484) .
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