A heart echo ultrasound, also referred to as an echocardiogram, is a highly valued cardiac test. The ultrasound scan uses a transducer to send high-frequency sound waves into your chest to create a detailed image of your heart, including its chambers, valves and your heart muscle.
As the sound waves bounce off different areas of your heart, they generate echoes. The probe records the echoes and uses them to create areal-time moving image of your heart. This enables the cardiologist to assess how your heart beats and pumps blood in real-time and detect any abnormalities with your heart’s structure or functionality. Echocardiograms are non-invasive and completely painless.
Multiple types of heart echo ultrasound tests exist, and they each have different purposes. The most common types of echo tests are:
1. Transthoracic echocardiogram
2. Stress echocardiogram
3. Contrast echocardiogram
4. Doppler echocardiogram
5. Transoesophageal echocardiogram
Heart echo ultrasounds assess and evaluate the structure and functionality of your heart muscle and your heart’s chambers and valves. The test also analyses the blood flow in your heart and the surrounding are as. Heart echo ultrasounds are frequently used in the identification and monitoring of structural abnormalities of the heart, for example, if your heart is an abnormal size or shape.
Echocardiograms are used in the detection, investigation and monitoring of multiple different heart conditions and heart diseases, such as:
· Heart infections, for example, endocarditis.
· Congenital heart disease (heart conditions or defects that have been present since birth).
· Heart disease, including cardiomyopathy and valve disease.
· Damage that occurred as a result of a heart attack.
· Heart failure.
· Issues with the valves of your heart (e.g. narrowing of your valves or leaky valves).
· Fluid around the heart.
· Blocked arteries.
You maybe advised to get a private heart echo for multiple reasons. The most common reason a heart echo is required is if you have experienced unusual or concerning symptoms such as:
· Chest pain
· Feeling short of breath or being unable to catch your breath
· Heart palpitations (a fast heart beat or a fluttering or pounding heart)
· Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
· Unexplained fainting
· Swollen legs
The above symptoms are associated with multiple different heart conditions. A heart echo scan enables the cardiologist to examine concerning symptoms more thoroughly and ensure an accurate diagnosis is made and you are provided with the best possible treatment option.
An echo ultrasound may also be advised if something unusual is detected during a physical examination, for example, a heart murmur or an irregular heartbeat. Echocardiograms are also utilised if an electrocardiogram (ECG) was abnormal or inconclusive or to monitor pre-existing heart diseases or heart conditions.
Before the ultrasound begins, several electrodes, which look like small, sticky patches, will be attached to different areas of your chest before being connected to a machine. The electrodes allow the cardiologist to monitor your heart’s rhythm during the ultrasound.
A lubricating gel will also be applied to your skin to allow the probe to move around more easily. The cardiologist will move you into a precise position (usually lying on the left side of your body). The cardiologist will move the probe slowly to generate a moving image of your heart.
A private heart ultrasound will likely take between 15 and 30 minutes, although the time can differ. In some situations, the test can take up to 1hour, but this is nothing to worry about. Approximately five minutes will be spent prepping the area for the ultrasound, with the remaining time spent assessing your heart. Once the scan is completed, you can leave the clinic. The cardiologist will analyse your scan and contact you with your results.
Our team understands how stressful and worrying it can be to have concerns about the health and functionality of your heart. Our cardiac clinic, therefore, provides same-day appointments with our expert cardiologist, Dr Lo Monaco, using advanced cardiac imaging technology. Lo Monaco is a specialist in echocardiograms and cardiac imaging. As an expert in diagnosing and monitoring heart conditions, as well as assessing your heart's structure and function, Dr Lo Monaco ensures you are comfortable and confident in your care. The results of your heart scan will also be analysed by Dr Lo Monaco in a timely and accurate manner.