An echocardiogram uses sound waves (called ultrasound) to look at the size, shape, and motion of the heart.
The test shows:
In addition to this standard test, there are specialized echocardiograms:
An echocardiogram may be used to:
Your doctor may do the following:
A gel is put on your chest. This gel helps the sound waves travel. The technician presses a small, hand-held device (called a transducer) against your skin. The transducer sends sound waves toward your heart. The sound waves are then reflected back to the device. The waves are converted into electrical impulses. These impulses become an image on the screen.
The technician can capture a still image, or videotape moving images. To get clearer and more complete images, the technician may move the transducer to different areas of your chest. You may be asked to change positions and slowly inhale, exhale, or hold your breath.
The gel is wiped from your chest.
30-60 minutes
No
RESOURCES:
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org/
American Society of Echocardiography
http://asecho.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/
Heart Healthy Kit: Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/
References:
Echocardiography. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/echo/echo_whatis.html. Updated March 2007. Accessed July 28, 2008.
Heart damage detection. American Heart Association website. Available at: http://www.americanheart.org. Accessed July 28, 2008.
Huttemann E. Transoesophageal echocardiography in critical care. Minerva Anestesiol. 2006;72:891-913.
Medical encyclopedia: echocardiogram. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus website. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003869.htm. Updated April 2007. Accessed July 28, 2008.
The most common heart ultrasound: transthoracic echocardiogram. American Society of Echocardiography website. Available at: http://www.seemyheart.org/tte.php. Updated April 2007. Accessed July 28, 2008.
Radiological Society of North America website. Available at: http://www.rsna.org/. Accessed July 28, 2008.
Sanderson JE, Chan WW. Transoesophageal echocardiography. Postgrad Med J. 1997;73:137-140.
Last reviewed November 2009 by Craig Clark, DO, FACC, FAHA, FASE
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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