Before Your Echo
No special preparations are necessary. You may eat and go about your normal activities, unless you are told otherwise. Make sure you wear a two-piece outfit. The echo may be done at a hospital, test center, or doctor's office. What Happens During the Test
You may be asked to undress from the waist up and put on a short hospital gown. Electrodes (small sticky patches) are placed on your chest and shoulders to monitor your heartbeat. You then lie on a hospital bed or exam table. To improve the quality of the pictures, a colorless gel is applied to the area where the
transducer will be placed. This may feel cool and a bit moist, but the gel will be wiped off at the end of the test. A technician moves the transducer over the chest, to obtain different views of your heart. He or she may ask you to change positions. You may also be asked to exhale or hold your breath for a few seconds (air in your lungs can affect the echo images). The images are recorded on videotape
or printed on paper, so the doctor can review them later. How Long Does It Take?
An echo exam usually takes from 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the number of views and whether the Doppler echo is also used. Be sure to allow extra time to check in. When the test is over, you may eat and return to your normal activities.
Is the Echo Safe?
The echo test is very safe. There are
no known risks from the ultrasound waves. It is also painless, even though you may feel a slight discomfort when the transducer is held firmly against the chest. What are the Benefits?
A major benefit of the echo test is that it gives information about the heart's structures and blood flow without anything entering the body.
The major limitation is that it is often difficult to obtain good quality images in
patients who have broad chests, are obese, or are suffering from chronic lung disease (such as emphysema). Your Test Results
If a doctor is present during the test, you may be able to get the results before
you leave. Otherwise, your own doctor will discuss the test results with you during a future office visit. The information gained from the echo test helps your doctor make an accurate diagnosis and develop a
treatment plan that's best for you. <BACK
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