ECHO CARDIOGRAPH PROFESSIONAL
ECHO CARDIOGRAPH SERIES

A typical echocardiogram report is very detailed and uses technical terms to describe heart structures and function. Usually, the main part of the echocardiogram report describes the heart’s structures in detail, followed by a brief summary of the cardiologist’s findings. How do I read or interpret my echocardiogram report? It typically takes a few days to a week to receive the results of your echocardiogram. Your provider will carefully review the images and will describe the findings in a detailed report. An ultrasound technologist with special training in heart imaging will usually perform the test. Do you get echocardiogram results right away?

ECHO CARDIOGRAPH SERIES

The computer generates a series of videos of the heart structures, which are then reviewed by a cardiologist. In an echocardiogram, a small device called a transducer (the probe) is used to send sound waves toward the heart, which then bounce back and are collected and processed by a computer.

This allows the probe to get closer to the heart and get more detailed information about certain parts of the heart that can’t be seen on a surface echocardiogram.Ī stress echocardiogram is a surface echo that looks at the amount of blood flow the heart muscle receives before and immediately after exercising on a treadmill or exercise bike. Instead of using a probe on the chest wall, the probe is on the end of a flexible tube that goes down the throat into the esophagus.

ECHO CARDIOGRAPH PROFESSIONAL

A trained professional places a small probe on the chest and moves it around to get pictures of the beating heart.Ī transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) uses similar ultrasound technology but from a different angle.

There are a few types of echocardiograms:Ī transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE), also known as a surface echocardiogram, is the most common type of echo. An echocardiogram, unlike an ECG, provides a very detailed image of the heart muscle and heart valves, and provides information about how blood flows through the different parts of the heart and major blood vessels. It’s like a sonogram of a developing baby - except it’s of the heart.Īn echo is different from an electrocardiogram (ECG), which is recording of the electrical activity of the heart. What is an echocardiogram, and how is it different from an ECG?Īn echocardiogram (also called an echo or cardiac ultrasound) is a test that uses high-frequency sound waves to capture moving pictures of the heart. An echocardiogram can provide you and your healthcare team with valuable information about how well your heart is functioning. Your provider may also order an echocardiogram if they hear a “murmur,” which is the sound that the blood makes as it passes through the heart chambers and valves. This may help in determining the exact cause and best treatment if you do have an arrhythmia, or irregular heart rhythm.It is very common for a healthcare provider to order an echocardiogram, also called an echo, if you are experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or swelling in your legs. Cardiac arrhythmia: An echo can assess your heartbeat.An echo can evaluate how well various cardiac treatments are working in people with conditions such as heart failure. Left ventricular ejection fraction: 'Ejection fraction' is a term used to describe how strong the heart is and how well it pumps blood.Anatomical defects: Congenital heart conditions such as tetralogy of Fallot and atrial septal defect are conditions that are present from birth in which the heart does not develop properly.This is helpful in measuring problems with blood flow in conditions such as aortic stenosis. The velocity, or speed, of blood flow within the heart: A special microphone called a Doppler can be used during the test to measure this.Problems with the heart valves: For example, mitral valve prolapse can be detected because the test shows how well your hearts valves are functioning.

Echo cardiograph