An echocardiography Drummoyne is a standard, painless examination by doctors who diagnose and monitor heart problems. If you have symptoms of a heart problem, have had a heart attack, or have been diagnosed with heart disease, your doctor may recommend this test.
An echocardiogram, also called an echo or ECG, is an ultrasound scan that uses sound waves to create moving images of your heart.
Why is the Echocardiogram Developed?
An echocardiogram can help your doctor find facts about your heart health that can be important for you. It will show if your heart valves, heart, and blood pressure pump are normal or if you have a heart attack or other heart condition.
You should undergo an echocardiogram if you have:
- Symptoms and signs of a heart problem, such as chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, or unusual heart sounds
- You previously had a heart attack or heart surgery
- You have diagnosed with any heart condition such as cardiomyopathy (heart disease) or heart valve disease.
What to Expect During the Echocardiography?
Your examination will be done at a doctor’s office or a hospital by a specially trained specialist. No special preparations are required, and tests usually take 30 to 60 minutes. The test will take place in a dark room so that your technician can see the test monitor better. Before your exam, you will undress up, put on a hospital gown, and lie down at the examination table.
Your therapist will place sticky strips called electrodes on your chest to monitor your heart rate with an electrocardiogram or EKG. Next, your therapist will place the gel on your chest and press a small tool called a transducer into your chest over your heart, moving it back and forth. The transducer captures and transmits sound waves, travels to the test monitor and displays images of your heart.
During most tests, you will lie on your left side. You also have to lie on your back and hold your breath for a few seconds at a time. During the test, you may hear a jarring sound, which is the sound of blood flowing through your heart.
Echocardiography Tests
Sometimes a transthoracic or normal echo does not provide enough information, and your doctor may request a particular echo test, such as:
- An Echocardiogram Of Exercise Stress
You will be asked to take a treadmill or ride an exercise bike while taking pictures of your heart during this echo type. This allows your doctor to understand how the heart responds to a situation where it is made to work harder, and it helps to diagnose angina. It may also provide your doctor with information about the severity of a heart valve problem.
- Transoesophageal Echocardiogram
In this type of echo, pictures of your heart are taken by inserting a probe into your throat (esophagus). These images are much clearer to see than those produced using a probe in your chest (like a normal echo) because the throat is close to your heart, and there is no chest wall along the way.
Echocardiogram Test Results
Your cardiologist will have the results of your echocardiography Drummoyne in about a week and will check your results with you. Results can be:
Normal, which means your heart, heart valves, and blood volume of your heart is normal
Abnormal, which will vary depending on your condition, may include your heart valves not working correctly.