What is the procedure of echocardiography?

An echocardiogram is a noninvasive (the skin is not pierced) procedure used to assess the heart’s function and structures. During the procedure, a transducer (like a microphone) sends out sound waves at a frequency too high to be heard.

What is Doppler effect in echocardiography?

Doppler echocardiography is a procedure that uses Doppler ultrasonography to examine the heart. An echocardiogram uses high frequency sound waves to create an image of the heart while the use of Doppler technology allows determination of the speed and direction of blood flow by utilizing the Doppler effect.

Is echo test done empty stomach?

Do I need to be empty stomach for the test? No. You may eat and drink as you normally would on the day of the echo test. You can take all your regular medications on the morning of the test.

How long does a heart Doppler test take?

You may hear swishing or pulse-like sounds during the procedure. The waves are recorded and turned into images or graphs on a monitor. After the test is over, the provider will wipe the gel off your body. The test takes about 30-60 minutes to complete.

What is a bad result for an echocardiogram?

There are no risks of a resting echocardiogram. If you have an exercise echo, you might develop chest pain during the test. Because this is a sign that your heart isn’t getting enough oxygen and could be in danger of damage, it’s important that you alert the medical staff immediately so that the test can be stopped.

What does an echocardiogram tell the Doctor?

An echocardiogram (echo) provides a large amount of information about the heart to the doctor. It tells him or her many things, including the size of the heart, the function, how thick the walls of the heart are, how the valves are working, if the valves appear normal or thickened and if there is any fluid around the heart.

What to expect during an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram exam usually includes a Doppler recording of the blood movement or flow within the heart. When color flow Doppler is used in the exam, it will appear as different colors moving within the white and black images on the monitor. The different colors represent the different speeds and directions of blood flow in the heart.

How should I prepare for the echocardiogram?

There is no preparation for the echocardiogram. You can eat and drink like normal before the ultrasound. You may just want to make sure that you use the restroom before you check in for your echo, as you may be in the exam room for 30 minutes or more.

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