If you or your doctor have concerns about the health of your heart, a medical professional will recommend diagnostic testing to evaluate potential issues. Based on the results, a cardiovascular specialist can recommend treatment.
Echo testing, also known as an echocardiogram, is one of these tests frequently used by medical experts. Buckeye Heart and Vascular Institute, a cardiovascular diagnostic and treatment center in Dayton, OH, outlines expectations for imaging and testing using an echocardiogram.
When Would I Need an Echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram provides imaging of a patient’s heart. The details this test can provide allows a doctor to see the interior structure of a patient’s heart as well as what it looks like while it is pumping.
This makes echo testing useful in diagnosing a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions. Since it is non-invasive, echo testing is often recommended in the early stages of the diagnostic process. Doctors commonly use this imaging technology to evaluate the heart’s chambers, the arteries, and the outer lining.
How Does an Echocardiogram Evaluate My Heart?
The echocardiogram uses ultrasound technology to translate sound waves into a digital image. A device called a transducer emits high-frequency sound waves and recaptures the waves as they bounce from the heart and back to the probe, converting them to a visual depiction.
This echo-based technology can detect irregularities of soft tissue in the body, including the heart. It can capture motion as well, so specialists use it to evaluate the way that a patient’s heart pumps.
What Can I Expect During Echo Testing?
An echocardiogram requires no preparation. The patient lies on a table with electrodes placed on the chest that monitor the heartbeat.
A technician applies gel to the patient’s chest to encourage the passage of sound waves from the probe through the body. The transducer moves along the chest, sending and detecting these waves and translating them into an image on a monitor.
The picture is recorded so that a doctor may review the results of the test. The patient feels no pain or discomfort during this process and may wipe off the gel and return home directly after the test.
Schedule an Echocardiogram in Dayton, OH
Buckeye Heart and Vascular Institute offers echocardiogram testing and other cardiovascular services for patients in Dayton, OH. Our practice helps diagnose and treat patients with heart valve disease, vascular disease, and other cardiovascular concerns. To schedule an appointment with our team, contact us online or reach our office by phone at 937.203.8602.