Why echo test is done

The room will be darkened so that the images on the echo monitor can be seen by the technologist. The technologist will place warmed gel on your chest and then place the transducer probe on the gel. You will feel a slight pressure as the technologist positions the transducer to get the desired images of your heart.

During the test, the technologist will move the transducer probe around and apply varying amounts of pressure to get images of different locations and structures of your heart. The amount of pressure behind the probe should not be uncomfortable. If it does make you uncomfortable, let the technologist know. You may be asked to hold your breath, take deep breaths, or even sniff through your nose during the procedure. If the structures of your heart are hard to see, the technologist may use an IV contrast that helps the heart chambers show up better.

This is not an iodine based contrast so you don't have to worry if you have an allergy to shrimp or shellfish with this type of contrast. After the procedure, the technologist will wipe the gel from your chest and remove the ECG electrode pads. You may then put on your clothes. Generally, there is no special type of care after an echo. Y Your doctor may give you other instructions after the procedure, depending on your situation. Health Home Treatments, Tests and Therapies. An echocardiogram may use several special types of echocardiography, as listed below: M-mode echocardiography.

Why might I need an echocardiogram? An echocardiogram may be done for further evaluation of signs or symptoms that may suggest: Atherosclerosis. An enlargement of the heart due to thick or weak heart muscle Congenital heart disease. An inflammation or infection of the sac that surrounds the heart. Your doctor may have other reasons to recommend an echocardiogram.

What are the risks of an echocardiogram? How do I get ready for an echocardiogram? Your doctor will explain the procedure to you and ask if you have any questions. Generally, you don't need to do any preparation such as fasting or having sedation. Tell your doctor if you have a pacemaker. Based on your medical condition, your doctor may request other specific preparation.

What happens during the procedure? Generally, an echocardiogram follows this process: You will remove any jewelry or other objects that may interfere with the procedure. You will remove clothing from the waist up and will be given a gown to wear. In some cases, a doctor may use a contrast agent to gain a clearer picture. You will receive this as an injection during the scan. Fetal echocardiography is used with expectant mothers sometime during weeks 18 to 22 of pregnancy.

The transducer is placed over the abdomen of the pregnant person to check for heart problems in the fetus. The test is considered safe for an unborn child because it does not use radiation, unlike an X-ray.

Find out more about fetal echocardiography here. Echocardiograms are considered very safe. Unlike other imaging techniques, such as X-rays, echocardiograms do not use radiation. If a scan involves a contrast injection or agitated saline, there is a slight risk of complications such as allergic reaction to the contrast.

Contrast should not be used during pregnancy. This may feel similar to pulling off a Band-Aid. In very rare cases, it can puncture the esophagus and cause a potentially life threatening complication called esophageal perforation.

The most common side effect is a sore throat due to irritation of the back of the throat. You may also feel a bit relaxed or drowsy due to the sedative used in the procedure.

The medication or exercise used to get your heart rate up in a stress echocardiogram could temporarily cause an irregular heartbeat or precipitate a heart attack. Medical professionals will supervise the procedure, reducing the risk of a serious reaction such as heart attack or arrhythmia. A stress echocardiogram is the same as a transthoracic echocardiogram, except a stress echocardiogram takes pictures before and after performing exercise.

The duration of the exercise is usually 6 to 10 minutes but can be shorter or longer depending on your exercise tolerance and fitness level. However, if you undergo a transesophageal echocardiogram, your doctor will instruct you to not eat anything for 8 hours before the test. This is to prevent you from vomiting during the test.

You may also not be able to drive for a few hours afterward due to the sedatives. If your doctor has ordered a stress echocardiogram, wear clothes and shoes that are comfortable to exercise in. After a transesophageal echocardiogram, you may experience some throat soreness for a few hours , but you should be able to return to your usual activities the next day.

Once the technician has obtained the images, it usually takes 20 to 30 minutes to perform the measurements. Then the doctor can review the images and inform you of the results either at once or within a few days. If your doctor is concerned about your results, they may refer you to a cardiologist.

This is a doctor who specializes in the heart. Your doctor may order more tests or physical exams before diagnosing any issues. Echocardiograms can show how well your heart is performing and highlight areas where there may be a problem. In most cases, the procedure is noninvasive, but your doctor may inject a contrast dye or agitated saline to get a clearer picture. In the case of a transesophageal echocardiogram, your doctor will numb the throat and pass a transducer down it to get a clearer picture.

In an exercise stress test, you should come prepared to exercise, unless your doctor says exercise is not involved. You may need a cardiac echo if you have heart valve disease , heart rhythm irregularities, or cardiac muscle diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

A cardiac echo is used to identify abnormalities in the heart's structure and function. Sound waves are emitted during the test, which bounce off your heart and create a moving image of it on a screen. This allows your doctor to look at the anatomy of your heart from many different angles and to watch your heart rhythm. If you have symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath, or fainting, you may need a cardiac echo, especially if your heart sounds or an electrocardiogram EKG a test that charts the electrical activity of your heart suggest that you have a structural heart problem.

A cardiac echo allows your doctor to watch your heart as it beats so that specific areas of concern can be identified. For example:. Echocardiograms are also sometimes used in conjunction with stress tests for cardiac evaluations. An echo test is done at rest and then repeated during exercise to look for changes in the function of the heart muscle during periods of exertion. Deterioration in muscle function during exercise can be a sign of coronary artery disease. While the echocardiogram provides a lot of information about cardiac anatomy, it does not visualize the coronary arteries or blockages in your coronary arteries.

If imaging the coronary arteries is necessary, a cardiac catheterization is commonly performed. Certain physical variations, such as a thick chest wall or emphysema, can interfere with visualization of your heart during an echocardiogram. If you have one of these conditions and need an echo, you might need an invasive ultrasound of your heart known as a transesophageal echocardiogram TEE.

Regardless of your health, you can safely have a transthoracic echo. You may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds during the test, and there are no expected adverse events related to the test. If you will have an echo, you do not need to do anything special to prepare for it, and you do not need to have any screening tests prior to having an echo. In general, you can expect the test to take about an hour.

As with all diagnostic tests, you should also arrive at least 15 to 30 minutes in advance so that you can sign in and fill out all necessary forms. Most medical offices will recommend that you have your echo at a nearby cardiac testing suite. If you have health insurance, your carrier may require that you go to an approved location. What to Wear. You will need to wear an examination gown for the test itself, so there is nothing special that you need to wear to the test.

Food and Drink. Before a transthoracic echo, there are no food and drink restrictions. However, depending on the reason for the test, your doctor may ask you to avoid caffeine for six to 10 hours before the test, because it can speed up your heart rate. Cost and Health Insurance. Your health insurance may require a pre-authorization for a diagnostic echo. You also may be responsible for a copay. You can check with your health insurance provider or with the cardiac testing suite—both should be able to answer your questions about these issues.

If you are paying for the test yourself, it is likely to cost you several thousand dollars, which includes facility fees, technical fees, equipment fees, and a professional fee. These costs can range dramatically, and it is highly likely that your doctor and the other healthcare providers taking care of you do not know the cost of the echo. You can ask the facility what the total cost is and for a breakdown of the fees. What to Bring. You should bring your test order form if not already sent electronically , your insurance card, a form of identification, and a method of payment.

A technician or a doctor will perform your echo. Often, a technician does some or all of the test, but a doctor, usually a cardiologist, will look at your heart images while you are having your echo and may adjust the transducer to visualize additional views, if necessary.

Your own doctor may be present at your echo test, or another cardiologist may be there. You will be asked to change into an examination gown for the test. During the Test. As the test begins, you will lie on an examination table and a technician will place some gel on your chest, followed by a transducer—a small device shaped like a microphone.