To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. For more tips from our Medical co-author, like how to distinguish between different types of echocardiograms, scroll down! A trained and qualified cardiologist (heart specialist) needs to read an echocardiogram to know if the results are normal or not. It is often used to plan treatments. Your sonographer will place several electrodes on your chest. An echocardiogram uses sound waves to show how blood flows through the heart and heart valves. The valves can become narrowed and prevent blood from flowing through the heart or out to the lungs and body. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'colorsidea_com-box-4','ezslot_5',118,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-colorsidea_com-box-4-0'); An echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create an image of your heart. The transducer sends out sound waves that bounce off your heart and return to the device.These echoes are then converted into pictures of your heart that are displayed on a video screen. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Thank. You may need more than one echo, or multiple tests with different techniques, so your provider can get enough details about your heart. It can lead to problems in the wall motion or pumping function of your heart. Your doctor will look at these images from different angles and listen to sounds produced by blood flowing through your heart using a stethoscope placed on your chest during the test.An echocardiogram usually takes about 30 minutes but may take longer if special views or repeat studies are needed. Module aims. Congenital heart disease. An echocardiogram is a diagnostic test used to assess the structure and function of the heart. You wont be sedated, but you still may want to ask someone to drive you to and from the appointment. health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health At rest the average adult's heart pumps 4.8 to 6.4 liters of blood per minute. A 2-D (or two-dimensional) echocardiogram is capable of displaying a cross-sectional. United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS). This occurs when the wall of the heart bulges out when it should be contracting. It records the sound waves that bounce back from the heart. Echocardiography. Unlike a standard echocardiogram, this test takes pictures from inside the body. 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. Acute Hemorrhagic Diarrhea Syndrome (AHDS or HGE) Addison's Disease (Hypoadrenocorticism) Adrenal Tumor Treatment in Cushing's Syndrome. In color Doppler sonography, computer-processed data from multiple scan angles are used to produce colors that indicate areas of high velocity (red), low velocity (blue) or no velocity (black). There are several types of echo tests, including transthoracic and transesophageal. Valvular heart disease: As the name implies, this disease affects one or more valves of the heart. Interpreting the Results. Dont stop taking any medications or make any changes until you talk with your provider. Youll lie on your left side on the exam table. Other risks of a TEE include: Medicine given during a stress echocardiogram may temporarily cause a fast or irregular heartbeat, a flushing feeling, low blood pressure or allergic reactions. during the test, gel is spread on your chest and a hand-held device called a transducer is placed on the gel.The transducer sends out sound waves that bounce off your heart and return to the transducer. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 05/09/2022. A sonographer places a hand-held wand (called a transducer) on the outside of your chest to send sound waves to your heart. An echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create a moving picture of your heart. Hope you stick around! Your sonographer will place electrodes (small stickers) on your chest. The gel works with the wand to provide better images. Both an echocardiogram and an electrocardiogram (EKG) can be used to help identify heart conditions. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The best technique depends on your specific condition and what your provider needs to see. Echocardiography. ASE's Comprehensive Echocardiography. ins.style.display='block';ins.style.minWidth=container.attributes.ezaw.value+'px';ins.style.width='100%';ins.style.height=container.attributes.ezah.value+'px';container.appendChild(ins);(adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({});window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'stat_source_id',44);window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'adsensetype',1);var lo=new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent);lo.observe(document.getElementById(slotId+'-asloaded'),{attributes:true}); An echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create an image of your heart. Echocardiography and Other Ultrasound Procedures. The transducer sends out inaudible sound waves that bounce off different structures inside the heart. U.S. National Institutes of Health, National Center for Biotechnology Information. Your provider will order an echo for many reasons. Left ventricular ejection fraction. References. The provider will insert an endoscope into your mouth. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Ending the Opioid Crisis - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter Digital Edition, Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), Orthostatic hypotension (postural hypotension), Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum, Pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect, Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Understanding heart testing and evaluation, Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Taking the fear out of cardiac testing, Mayo Clinic first to use next generation 4D ICE imaging to help patients with structural heart disease. There are several different types of echocardiograms, but all use color-coding to help interpret the images.Here is a guide to understanding the colors you may see on an echocardiogram: Another condition that prevents the normal pumping of blood through the heart is pericardial effusion, which is the build-up of fluid in the heart that may be due to a heart . Cardiac arrhythmias refer to any abnormality or disturbance in the normal activation sequence of the myocardium and can be classified by rate (tachycardia, bradycardia), mechanism (automaticity, re-entry, triggered), duration (isolated premature beats, couplets, runs), or site of origin. The test shows how blood moves through the heart chambers and heart valves. An echocardiogram can detect many different types of heart disease. What are normal echocardiogram test results? If you have a standard transthoracic echocardiogram, you may feel some discomfort when the ultrasound wand pushes against your chest. Most people can go back to their usual daily activities after an echocardiogram. Defects in one or more heart structures that occur during formation of the fetus, such as a ventricular septal defect (hole in the wall between the 2 lower chambers of the heart). Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Interpret-Echocardiograms-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Interpret-Echocardiograms-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Interpret-Echocardiograms-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1392846-v4-728px-Interpret-Echocardiograms-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, Leading nonprofit that funds medical research and public education, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Interpret-Echocardiograms-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Interpret-Echocardiograms-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Interpret-Echocardiograms-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/aid1392846-v4-728px-Interpret-Echocardiograms-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f2\/Interpret-Echocardiograms-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Interpret-Echocardiograms-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f2\/Interpret-Echocardiograms-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid1392846-v4-728px-Interpret-Echocardiograms-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Interpret-Echocardiograms-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Interpret-Echocardiograms-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Interpret-Echocardiograms-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid1392846-v4-728px-Interpret-Echocardiograms-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7f\/Interpret-Echocardiograms-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Interpret-Echocardiograms-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7f\/Interpret-Echocardiograms-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/aid1392846-v4-728px-Interpret-Echocardiograms-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f2\/Interpret-Echocardiograms-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Interpret-Echocardiograms-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f2\/Interpret-Echocardiograms-Step-6.jpg\/aid1392846-v4-728px-Interpret-Echocardiograms-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"