About This Test
An echocardiogram – or echo – is an ultrasound of the heart and provides a physician with images of the heart while it’s beating. An echocardiogram may be performed while the patient is lying on their back or side (transthoracic echo) or while the patient is walking or running on a treadmill (stress echo).Transthoracic Echo
During a regular transthoracic echo, a patient changes into a gown before lying on their back or left side. A technician then places EKG stickers on the patient’s chest and uses a transducer or probe to send sound waves to the heart, which are then reflected on a monitor as images. This allows a cardiologist to evaluate the size of the heart's chambers, how well the heart pumps, and how well the heart valves are working.
The patient may be asked to hold their breath or change positions during the test. Additionally, a provider may choose to inject an image enhancing agent to improve image quality or normal saline to provide more information about the structure of the heart.
Stress Echo
During a stress echo, the patient is monitored while walking or running on a treadmill. If a patient is unable to walk on a treadmill, a medication may be administered through intravenous injection (IV); the medication is used to increase the patient’s heart rate. As heart rate increases, more blood is required, allowing a cardiologist to evaluate blood flow.
A stress echo may be ordered to check for heart problems that worsen with increased heart rate or to clear a patient for physical activity following a heart attack.
How to prepare for an echo
To prepare for a stress echo, a patient may be asked not to eat, drink or smoke for 4 hours prior to the test.
A regular transthoracic echocardiogram requires no preparation.
When is an echocardiogram needed?
A provider may order an echocardiogram for several reasons including, but not limited to:
- Looking for a problem in the heart or the blood vessels around the heart
- Identifying or checking on a heart problem or condition
- Trying to find the cause of symptoms such as shortness of breath, leg swelling or irregular heartbeat
- Checking heart function after a heart attack or heart surgery
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