Echocardiography

An echocardiogram is a test in which high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) are aimed at the heart. The ultrasound waves bounce back to the ultrasound machine, which interprets it as data and as information about the heart. The test can provide data based on size and density, measure the heart chambers, and produce sophisticated images of the beating heart chambers, valves, and the major blood vessels of the ventricles. Echocardiography may be performed while you are still, known as a “resting echocardiogram,” or while you are performing exercise on a treadmill, commonly known as a “stress echo.” For a resting echocardiogram, you will remove clothing from your upper body, put on a gown, and lie on an examination table. No special preparation is necessary. The technician will apply a gel wherever he or she places the echo transducer, make recordings from different parts of the chest, and collect several views of your heart. A monitor will show images of your heart during the test, and these images are also photographs and on videotape. The tape offers a permanent record of the examination and is reviewed by the physician prior to completion of the final report. Wear comfortable clothes. This procedure is painless and takes approximately 45 minutes.