What is an Echocardiogram?

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An echocardiogram (also called Heart Scan, or Heart Echo), is an important cardiac diagnostic test which assesses your heart while it is pumping and contracting. It also assesses your heart valves while they are opening and closing. An echo test (Heart Echo Ultrasound) is performed by a cardiologist or a cardiac physiologist using a small probe, which sends sound waves into your heart and the surrounding areas. The sound waves bounce off different parts of your heart and create a reflection echo, which generates a moving picture of your heart.

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An echocardiogram differs from an electrocardiogram (ECG), which shows only a very short snapshot of the electrical activity of your heart. In comparison, an echo allows the cardiologist to make a deeper and more accurate assessment of your heart function and allows them to look at the size and structure of your heart and how well it is functioning.

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Echocardiograms have a variety of functions, including:

·      Detecting previous heart attacks.

·      Detecting indirectly blocked coronary arteries(consistent with coronary artery disease).

·      Determining whether your heart is pumping enough blood to your organs.

·      Assessing your heart function and the size and structure of your heart.

·      Detecting heart failure, congenital heart defects, heart infections, heart diseases and other heart conditions.

·      Detecting any issues with the valves or chambers of your heart.

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An echocardiogram allows the cardiologist to determine whether your heart is contracting in a synchronous way or whether there is different contractility of the heart walls, for example if your heart electrical impulses are being transmitted abnormally. In this situation, a24-hour ECG Holter monitor will be recommended to rule out any irregularities in your heartbeat and any issues with the electrical impulses of your heart.

What is a Holter Monitor?

A 24h ECG Holter monitor is a small, portable electrocardiogram (ECG) that you wear for an extended period of time – usually 24 hours, but it can be up to 7days. Small electrodes are attached to your chest and connected to a small, portable ECG machine that you carry around with you. A Holter monitor records:

·      Your heart rate.

·      Your heart rhythm

·      The strength and timing of your heart electrical impulses.

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Because these recordings are done continuously over a period of time, they allow the cardiologist to detect any arrhythmias (an irregular or abnormal heartbeat) and any issues with the electrical impulses of your heart. If the electrical impulses are being transmitted abnormally, this can cause your heart to contract in a dyssynchronous way and prevent the blood from flowing through your heart correctly.

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Link Between Echocardiograms and Holter Monitors

If during the echocardiogram your heart contacts too slowly or too quickly, a 24h ECG Holter monitor may be recommended to determine whether your heart rate or rhythm are abnormal and whether you are experiencing symptoms of bradycardia(an abnormally slow heart rate) or tachycardia (an abnormally fast heart rate).

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Holter monitors are also used in conjunction with echocardiograms if you are experiencing symptoms such as heart palpitations. An echo will be used to rule out any underlying structural, functional or anatomical abnormalities. Once these have been ruled out, a Holter monitor can identify and accurately assess the nature of the palpitations and whether it is impacting the normal contractility of the heart.

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Using both an echocardiogram and an ECG Holter monitor allows your cardiologist to make a more thorough assessment of your heart  and a more accurate diagnosis.

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