What is an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram is a painless procedure that uses sound waves and a computer to look at your beating heart. A device called a transducer sends high-frequency sound waves into your chest. The sound waves bounce (echo) off your heart. A computer uses the echoes to create a moving picture of the heart.

Usually the transducer is placed on your chest. If your health care provider orders a transesophageal echocardiogram, a very small transducer on the end of a tube will be passed down your throat.

When is it used?

An echocardiogram is used to help diagnose heart problems. It can show the size of the heart’s chambers, the thickness of the chamber walls, how the chambers and heart valves are working, if there is fluid collecting around the heart, and how efficiently the heart is pumping.

The echocardiogram may show signs of:

• previous heart attacks

• previous rheumatic fever

• heart problems you were born with

• tumors

• infections or other problems of the heart valves.

An echocardiogram is helpful for following your progress if you have had surgery to replace a heart valve.

How do I prepare for the procedure?

For an echocardiogram using a transducer on your chest, no preparation is necessary.

What happens during the procedure?

This simple test takes about 30 minutes. You will lie down on an exam table on your side. A technologist will place some gel or lotion and a transducer on your chest. The transducer beams high-frequency sound waves at your heart. This information is returned, or echoed, to the transducer and a computer converts the echoes into a picture. The technologist moves the transducer to several places on your chest until the picture is complete. You may be able to watch the picture while it is being recorded on videotape.

Sometimes, the heart is viewed from the side of the chest. You may be asked to inhale a gas that makes the heart race for a moment. This gas may cause dizziness or a flushed feeling, which will quickly go away. The technologist may also ask you to breathe a certain way or hold your breath. Occasionally, the technologist may inject a small amount of a dye through an IV to better see the inside of the heart.

An electrocardiogram (ECG) might be done at the same time. An ECG measures the electrical activity of your heart.

What happens after the procedure?

After the procedure, you can go home and go back to your normal activities.

Your health care provider will review the information and let you know what the picture shows.

What are the benefits?

This procedure does not cure a heart problem, but it helps your health care provider diagnose heart problems you might have. It can help your provider plan your treatment.

What are the risks and limitations of this procedure?

There is no risk with an echocardiogram that uses a transducer on your chest.

Sound waves quickly lose their ability to penetrate with increasing distance. 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 transesophageal echocardiogram or another procedure.

When should I call my health care provider?

Call your health care provider during office hours if:

• You have questions about the procedure or its result.

• You want to make another appointment.

This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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