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.