If you have signs of a heart condition or are at risk of cardiac disease, your specialist might request tests to determine how well your heart is functioning. One of the first tests your doctor may suggest is an echocardiogram. An echocardiogram Upper East Side, also known as a diagnostic cardiac ultrasound, or echo, utilizes sound waves to create detailed images of your heart.
The procedure is non-invasive. Your specialist will simply move a tiny device, called a transducer, across the chest to obtain pictures of your heart. Here are some common reasons your doctor may request an echocardiogram.
1. Cardiovascular Problems
Specific cardiovascular problems like heart attack, stroke, and heart disease may prompt the cardiologist to consult an echocardiogram to determine how well your heart functions. The test will determine the strength of your heart muscles.
Narrowed and blocked blood vessels in the heart muscle cause reduced blood circulation to the heart, which is a warning sign of coronary heart disease. An echocardiogram may also reveal if there are blood clots or tumors in the heart, which could be the reason for a stroke. This test is also effective at detecting damage caused by a heart attack, which may weaken heart muscles.
2. Troublesome Symptoms
Certain symptoms could be concerning and warrant undergoing a diagnostic test. Chest heaviness and pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, fatigue, contact indigestion, and swelling in the ankles and legs are the most prevalent signs of a cardiac problem, such as heart failure. Heart failure is a condition where the heart cannot pump adequate blood. An echocardiogram can help establish how effective the heart is at pumping blood.
3. Heart Structure Problems
An echocardiogram can expose problems within the heart’s structure. These issues may include congenital heart defects, which are structural issues that an individual has during birth, like a hole in their heart. Specialists are also likely to recommend an echocardiogram on kids if the doctor identifies a congenital heart defect during a routine exam.
4. Heart Valve Problems
Echocardiograms can also provide a visual of how effective the heart valves are. Heart murmurs are unusual whooshing sounds that the heart produces as blood flows through it. These valve problems could stem from a defect existent at birth, like a damaged heart valve or abnormal valve. Other heart valve concerns warranting an echocardiogram include aortic stenosis, mitral valve prolapse, and mitral regurgitation.
5. Abnormal Heartbeats
As with palpitations or tachycardia, abnormal heartbeats will frequently require an echocardiogram. Palpitations are a feeling of the heart fluttering and missing a beat. On the other hand, tachycardia is a sudden resting heart rate above 100. Both issues stem from stress and anxiety, but in some cases, they could be attributed to severe heart concerns.
Good heart health is crucial to living a healthy and fulfilling life. Unfortunately, as with other body organs, the heart is susceptible to diseases. If not diagnosed early, heart conditions can cause life-threatening complications. Luckily, with an echocardiogram, specialists can now obtain crisp heart images and diagnose the underlying cause of your heart disease. Typically, the echocardiogram bears a reduced risk of side effects or complications. Nonetheless, you might feel discomfort, and some people might be allergic to the anesthetic or contract material. Therefore, talk to your doctor to determine if you are the right candidate for an echocardiogram.
