Echocardiogram
What Is It?
An echocardiogram is a painless
test that uses ultrasound to evaluate the structure and function of the heart. Sound
waves are emitted from a small probe which is passed over the chest. Like a dog whistle,
these sound waves are of such a high pitch that they cannot be heard by people. These
sound waves bounce off your heart and are beamed back into the echo machine where they are
recorded.During this study, you will be asked to
lie on a table on your left side. The cardiac sonographer will move the
probe to
various areas on your chest. The test takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes.
 To see a sample of the type of
moving image the sonographer records, click the image at right. The download time for
this moving clip is about 30 seconds. No additional plug-ins are required.
Why Is
This Test Done?
An echocardiogram
lets the physician see the structure of the heart:
- the size, shape, and thickness of the chambers of the heart
- the pumping strength of the heart muscle with each beat
(the ejection fraction)
- congenital abnormalities of the heart
- the individual valve function
From this study, the physician can evaluate the following
functioning of the heart:
- the amount of heart muscle damage following a heart attack and other heart muscle
diseases
- the presence of extra fluid in the protective sac that
surrounds the heart (pericardium)
- valvular function
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