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Echocardiography, also
called an echo test, is a test that takes “moving
pictures” of the heart with sound waves.
You don’t have to stay in the hospital;
it’s not surgery and doesn’t hurt.
This test is done to
help your doctor find out if you have problems
with your heart or with
how it’s working.
This test may be needed
if:
- You have a heart murmur.
- You’ve had a heart
attack.
- You have unexplained
chest pains.
- You’ve had rheumatic
fever.
- You have a congenital
heart defect.
How is it done
You’ll lie on a bed on
your side or back.A technician will put special
jelly on a probe and move it over your chest area.
Ultra-high-frequency sound waves will pick up
images of your heart and valves. No X-rays will
be used. Your heart’s movements can be seen
on a video screen. A videotape or a photograph
can be made of the pictures. You can watch during
the test. It usually takes less than 15–20
minutes. It’s painless and has no side effects.
Your doctor will talk to you about theresults.
Sometimes the probe needs
to be closer to your heart to give clearer pictures.
You may
need a special test called transesophageal echocardiography
(TEE).
As you swallow, a technician
will gently pass a tube with a probe on the end
of it down your throat and into the esophagus.
(This is the tube connecting your mouth to your
stomach.) Sound waves will pick up images as explained
above. When the test is finished, the technician
will gently pull the probe out. You may feel a
need to cough.
What will the test show
• The size
and shape of your heart
• How well your heart is working overall
• If a wall or section of heart muscle
is weak and not working correctly
• If you
have problems with your heart’s valves
• If you have a blood clot
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