Heart Echo Scans

A heart echo scan is a painless, non-invasive cardiac test that is used to diagnose and monitor a variety of heart conditions. Heart echo scans check the structure and function of your heart muscle, the chambers and valves of your heart and the surrounding blood vessels. They also assess the pumping function of your heart.

A heart echo scan has several other names, including:

·      Echocardiogram

·      Echo

·      Heart echo ultrasound

·      Transthoracic echocardiogram

Heart echo scans are a type of ultrasound scan where a small probe sends pulses of high-frequency sound waves (ultrasounds) into your heart and the surrounding areas. The sound waves bounce off different areas of your heart, creating echoes. The probe detects these echoes and turns them into a moving picture of your heart. This allows the cardiologist to see real-time images of your heart beating and pumping blood.

A private heart echo scan is sometimes preferred over other cardiac tests as it allows the cardiologist to assess your heart over a longer period of time, usually between 15 and 45 minutes. This enables them to assess the size, structure and function of your heart more thoroughly for a longer period.

An echocardiogram has many functions and there are various reasons why your doctor might recommend a private heart echo ultrasound, including:

·      To evaluate how well the blood flows through the blood vessels surrounding your heart.

·      To assess the pumping chambers of your heart.

·      To detect and assess any damage following a heart attack or heart failure.

·      To diagnose and assess problems with your heart valves.

·      To detect congenital heart diseases.

·      To diagnose heart infections, such as endocarditis or myocarditis

·      To detect and monitor heart disease, such a scardiomyopathy.

·      To detect indirectly blocked coronary arteries.

·      To analyse the size, thickness and movement of the walls of your heart.

·      To detect or assess aneurysms or blood clots.

·      To detect or investigate cardiac tumours or growths.

A private heart echo scan may also be recommended if you are experiencing concerning symptoms, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, fainting episodes or unexplained swelling in your legs.

Heart echo ultrasounds are usually performed by a cardiologist. Because the test is non-invasive, it should be painless and have no side effects. As part of the test, the cardiologist will attach small sticky electrodes to your chest to help them monitor your heart rhythm throughout the test. They will then move you into the correct position and apply a lubricating gel either to your chest or directly to the probe. The probe will then be moved slowly around your chest and inaudible sound waves sent into your heart. The soundwaves will bounce off the structures within your heart, allowing the cardiologist to see a graphic outline of your heart movement.

There are several different types of heart echo scans:

1.      Transthoracic Echocardiogram: This is the standard echocardiogram we have looked at today.

2.      Transoesophageal Echocardiogram: This takes detailed images of your heart from your oesophagus, using a probe that you swallow.

3.      Exercise Stress Echocardiogram: This is a type of echocardiogram that is done while you are exercising, and your heart is under physiological stress.

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