WHAT IS AN ECHOCARDIOGRAM?

 

An echocardiogram is an

ultrasound image of the heart. It

can help doctors diagnose a

range of heart problems.

 

Doctors use echocardiograms to

 help them diagnose heart

problems, such as damaged

cardiac tissue, chamber

enlargement, stiffening of the

heart muscle, blood clots in the

 heart, fluid around the heart, and

 damaged or poorly functioning

heart valves.

 

In this article, we explain how

doctors use echocardiograms,

what to expect during the test,

and how to interpret the results.

 

Echocardiography uses ultrasound

 waves to create a picture of the

heart, called an echocardiogram

 (echo).

 

It is a non-invasive medical

procedure that produces no

radiation and does not cause

side effects.

 

During an echocardiogram,

a doctor can see:

 

the size and thickness

of the chambers

 

how the valves of the heart

 are functioning

 

the direction of blood

flow through the heart

 

any blood clots in the heart

 

areas of damaged or weak

 cardiac muscle tissue

 

problems affecting the

pericardium, which is the fluid

 filled sac around the heart

 

Doctors also use echocardiography

 when they want to examine a

person’s general heart health,

especially after a heart attack

or stroke.

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