A heart echo scan, officially known as an echocardiogram, is an important cardiac test. It is a non-invasive ultrasound scan that uses soundwaves to create a detailed picture of your heart, including your heart muscle, chambers and valves.
During the scan, the cardiologist will use a probe to send high-frequency sound waves into your heart. These sound waves create echoes as they bounce off different parts of your heart and the surrounding areas. The probe picks up the echoes and turns them into a real-time moving picture. This allows the cardiologist to see your heart beating and pumping blood in real-time and detect any issues with the structure or function of your heart.
There are several different types of heart echo scans, which are used for different reasons:
1. Transthoracic echocardiograms
2. Stress echocardiograms
3. Contrast echocardiograms
4. Doppler echocardiograms
5. Transoesophageal echocardiograms
A heart echo ultrasound evaluates the structure and overall functionality of your heart muscle and the chambers and valves of your heart. It can also analyse how well the blood flows inside your heart. Heart echo scans are commonly used to identify or monitor any structural abnormalities, including the size and shape of your heart.
A heart echo ultrasound is used to detect, investigate and monitor several different heart conditions and heart diseases, including:
· Heart infections, such as endocarditis and myocarditis.
· Congenital heart disease (a heart condition or defect that has been present since birth).
· Heart diseases, such as cardiomyopathy, pericardial disease and valve disease
· Damage caused by a heart attack.
· Heart failure.
· Problems with your heart valves (for example, if they have narrowed or are leaking).
· Fluid around the heart.
· Blocked arteries.
Private heart echo scans are recommended for several reasons, for example, if you have experienced concerning symptoms such as:
· Chest pain
· Shortness of breath
· Heart palpitations
· Dizziness
· Unexplained fainting
· Swelling in the legs
These symptoms can be indicative of several different heart conditions. A heart echo scan allows the cardiologist to investigate your symptoms in more detail and make an accurate diagnosis. It can also help your doctor to decide on the best treatment option.
An echocardiogram may also be recommended if something was detected during a physical examination, such as a heart murmur or an irregular heart beat, or if a previous ECG test was abnormal or inconclusive. A heart echo ultrasound may also be recommended to monitor an existing heart disease or heart condition.
At the start of the test, electrodes (small, sticky sensors)are attached to your chest and connected to a machine. This allows the cardiologist to monitor the rhythm of your heart throughout the test.
A lubricating gel will then be applied to your chest. The cardiologist will place you into the correct position (most likely lying on your left side). The probe will then be moved slowly around your chest to allow the cardiologist to create a moving picture of your heart.
A private heart echo scan usually takes between 15 and 30minutes, although this can vary. In some cases, the scan takes up to 45minutes, but you shouldn’t be concerned if this happens. The first five minute swill be spent preparing you for the scan, with the rest of the time spent doing the procedure. As soon as the scan is finished, you’ll be able to go home.
We understand that having concerns about your heart health can be extremely worrying and stressful. In our cardiac clinic, we can, therefore, provide you with a same-day appointment with our expert cardiologist, Dr Lo Monaco, using state-of-the-art cardiac imaging technology. Dr Lo Monaco has a subspecialty in cardiac imaging and specialises in echocardiograms. He is specially trained in diagnosing and monitoring heart conditions and assessing the structure and function of your heart. Dr Lo Monaco will also analyse your heart scan and provide you with fast, accurate results.