An echocardiogram (or echo) uses ultrasound technology to provide images of your heart’s structure and movement in real time, without radiation or discomfort.
At Premier Cardiology Consultants in New York, we use echocardiograms to help diagnose, monitor, and manage a variety of heart conditions. Here’s a closer look at what conditions an echocardiogram can reveal.
Your heart has four valves that help blood flow in the right direction. Sometimes, these valves can stiffen (stenosis) or leak (regurgitation), making the heart work harder to pump blood.
An echocardiogram allows your cardiologist to see how well your valves open and close and to detect any abnormalities in their structure or motion.
Common valve-related conditions that an echo can help detect or monitor include aortic stenosis, mitral valve prolapse, and mitral or aortic regurgitation.
An echocardiogram is one of the best tools for assessing heart failure, a condition in which the heart doesn’t pump blood as effectively as it should. The test measures your ejection fraction, or how much blood the left ventricle pumps out (ejects) with each beat.
It also helps diagnose cardiomyopathy, which refers to conditions that cause enlargement, thickening, or stiffness of the heart muscle. By evaluating your heart’s size and movement, your cardiologist can determine the type and severity of cardiomyopathy.
Some people are born with structural heart problems, known as congenital heart defects. An echocardiogram can detect holes in the heart (such as an atrial septal defect or ventricular septal defect) and other abnormalities that may not have caused symptoms earlier in life.
For children and adults alike, this test provides critical information for treatment planning.
The pericardium is a thin sac that surrounds the heart. Inflammation (called pericarditis) or fluid buildup (pericardial effusion) affecting the pericardium can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms.
An echocardiogram can quickly identify these issues and help your cardiologist determine if drainage or medication is needed.
Echocardiograms can also detect ventricular aneurysms (areas where the heart wall bulges) or blood clots that could lead to stroke or other complications. These findings are especially important for patients with certain heart rhythm disorders, such as atrial fibrillation.
There are several types of echocardiograms, each providing unique insights into your heart’s health:
This is the most common type, performed by placing a small probe on your chest to capture images of your heart.
This type can provide clearer images since your provider inserts a thin probe down the esophagus, and is often used when more detail is needed.
This type of echo is performed before and after exercise to assess how your heart functions under stress.
Measures the speed and direction of blood flow through your heart and valves.
This study offers detailed three-dimensional images for complex diagnoses or surgical planning.
Your cardiologist will determine which type is best based on your symptoms and medical history.
An echocardiogram is a simple, safe, and highly informative test that gives your cardiologist valuable insight into your heart’s health. Whether you’re experiencing symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, or chest pain (or you just need a routine checkup), this test can play a key role in keeping your heart strong.
Schedule a visit at Premier Cardiology Consultants today and learn more about how we help diagnose and treat heart conditions with compassionate, expert care.
