Echocardiogram
The echocardiogram is not a painful test, nor does it produce any side effects. Thanks to it we can know many details about how the heart works.
The echocardiogram is a fundamental diagnostic test because it provides an image of the heart in movement. Using ultrasounds, echocardiography gives information about the shape, size and strength of the heart, as well as the movement and thickness of its walls and the function of its valves.
How it is performed
A gel conductor is applied over the patient’s chest. A small device that transmits the heart’s image in the screen is placed on the chest. The test usually lasts between 15 and 30 minutes.
The patient
The patient stays still and as relaxed as possible. Since the echocardiogram is completely safe, it can be performed in pregnant woman without any risk to the baby.
Types of echocardiograms
Color Doppler Echocardiography: Consist in visualizing the heart and the cardiac valves using ultrasounds that provide useful information about how the heart is working. It is a non invasive test, with no side effects.
Transesophageal Echocardiography: Consist in visualizing the heart and valves using a transducer attached to the end of a flexible tube that’s guided down the patient’s throat and into the esophagus.
Stress Echocardiography: Consists in visualizing the heart while it is stressed, either by exercise or by taking medication. This makes the heart pump harder and beat faster. This stress level makes it easy to better diagnose some heart problems.
Contrast Echocardiography: Consists in visualizing the heart and valves using ultrasounds. A saline solution is introduced into the blood stream trough an intravenous placed in the arm. This provides a better contrasting image for the ultrasound.
