Echocardiograms are used to assess the heart’s structures and functions. There are different types of echocardiography including echo, cardiac ultrasound, ultrasonography or cardiac Doppler. The team at Banner Health are experts at taking and assessing any type of echocardiogram.
Echocardiograms use sound waves to produce images of the heart. These images help your doctor see your heart beating, pumping blood and help them identify heart diseases. There are several different types of echocardiograms, all of which are low-risk procedures.
Your doctor may recommend an echocardiogram for any of the following:
Echocardiograms are performed by placing a transducer on the chest and aiming it at the heart. The transducer then transmits and receives sound waves that bounce off the heart and produce a picture of the heart. In some cases, images of the heart may not be clear due to certain disorders. In these cases, a transesophageal cardiogram may be used. For this test, the patient’s throat is numbed, and the transducer is placed inside the throat where the sound waves are then aimed at the heart.
Depending on what your doctor needs to see, there are a few different types of echocardiograms, each with different procedures.
M-Mode Echocardiography
This simple type of echocardiography produces an image similar to a tracing, rather than a picture, of the heart structures. M-Mode echocardiography is useful when it comes to measuring heart structures, like the pumping chambers, the size of the heart and the thickness of the heart’s walls.
Doppler Echocardiography
Doppler echocardiography is used to measure and assess blood flow through the heart’s chambers and valves. This measurement is taken by assessing the amount of blood pumped out with each beat – this amount is an indication of the heart’s functioning.
This type of echocardiography can detect an abnormal flow within the heart, which could indicate problems. These problems can include an abnormal opening between heart chambers, a problem with one or more of the heart’s valves, or a problem within the heart’s walls.
Color Doppler
A color Doppler echocardiogram uses different colors to designate the direction of blood flow to simplify the interpretation of Doppler images.
2D (Two-Dimensional) Echocardiography
This technique is used to see the motion of the heart structures. A 2D echocardiogram will show the motion of the heart’s structures in real-time. This helps the doctor look at the various heart structures at work and evaluates them.
3D (Three-Dimensional) Echocardiography
This type of echocardiogram generates three-dimensional movies of the beating heart.
Stress Echocardiograms
This echocardiogram technique looks at what happens to the heart during a period of stress, produced either by medications or exercise. Stress echocardiograms are examined during periods of stress and are compared to a resting echocardiogram.
Transthoracic Echocardiogram
The most common type of echocardiogram is the transthoracic echocardiogram. During this procedure, a technician places a transducer on your chest to capture images of your heart. The transducer emits sound waves that bounce off the heart's structures, creating images that help your doctor evaluate your heart's function and anatomy. This type of echocardiogram is non-invasive and generally painless.
Typically, if you’re having an echocardiogram done, Banner recommends:
Depending on the type of echocardiogram being performed, your doctor may have additional instructions for you to follow. Contact your Banner Health doctor with any questions prior to an echocardiogram.
During an echocardiogram, you will be asked to lie on an examination table, often on your left side, to provide the best view of your heart. A technician will apply a gel to your chest to help transmit the sound waves, and then move a transducer (a small handheld device) over your chest to capture images of your heart. You might be asked to change positions or hold your breath briefly to obtain clearer images.
In some cases, a contrast agent may be used to enhance the quality of the images. If you're undergoing a transesophageal echocardiogram, your throat will be numbed and you may be given a sedative to help you relax as the transducer is guided down your esophagus.
The procedure is generally painless and takes about 30 to 60 minutes. After the test, you can typically resume your normal activities immediately unless your doctor advises otherwise.
While echocardiograms are generally safe, some patients might experience minor side effects. These can include slight discomfort from the transducer's pressure on the chest, a mild reaction to the gel applied to the skin, or, in rare cases, an allergic reaction to the contrast agent used during the procedure. If you undergo a transesophageal echocardiogram, you might have a sore throat or feel groggy from the sedative used. Always inform your healthcare provider if you experience any unusual symptoms after the test.
Echocardiograms locations can vary. Echocardiograms are performed at a Banner Health hospital, in the office of your cardiologist or in a clinic.
Depending on the results of your echocardiogram, additional tests or procedures may be scheduled to gather further information.
The team at Banner is always ready to answer any questions you may have during any stage of your echocardiogram procedure.
Whatever your need, your doctor can refer you to one of our conveniently located free-standing imaging centers or one of our hospitals.
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