What's the next step after an echocardiogram?

After an echo, your doctor may ask you to have other tests, such as a chest X-ray, EKG (electrocardiogram), or cardiac catheterization. These tests can give your doctor more information about your heart and may help explain your symptoms.

What happens if your echocardiogram is abnormal?

An abnormal echocardiogram can mean many things. Some abnormalities are very minor and do not pose major risks. Other abnormalities are signs of serious heart disease. You will need more tests by a specialist in this case.

Do you get results immediately after echocardiogram?

A cardiologist will read the results of your echocardiogram within 24 hours of the test. You should expect to get your results from your provider within three days.

What 5 abnormalities can be found on the echocardiogram?

What is a good echocardiogram result?

A normal ejection fraction is between 50% and 70%, which means the left ventricle pumps out between 50% and 70% of its total volume. An ejection fraction between 40% and 49% is considered “borderline.”

After an Echo Cardiogram Test

Can echocardiogram detect blockages?

Your doctor might recommend a stress echocardiogram to check for coronary artery problems. However, an echocardiogram can't provide information about any blockages in the heart's arteries.

What does a normal echocardiogram rule out?

A normal result is when the heart's chambers and valves appear typical and work the way they should. More specifically, this means that: There are no visible blood clots or tumors in your heart. Your heart valves open and close properly.

What does red mean on an echocardiogram?

Traditionally, flow towards the transducer is red, flow away from the transducer is blue, and higher velocities are shown in lighter shades. To aid observation of turbulent flow there is a threshold velocity, above which the color changes (in some systems to green).

Does an echocardiogram show heart failure?

An echocardiogram can be used to measure ejection fraction, which shows how well the heart is pumping and helps classify heart failure and guides treatment.

Should I be worried about an echocardiogram?

If you don't have symptoms and your doctor doesn't hear anything unusual, your valve disease is probably mild and not getting worse. Having a yearly echocardiogram will not show anything new. An echocardiogram could lead to other tests. A standard echocardiogram is painless, safe, and does not expose you to radiation.

What heart problems can an echocardiogram detect?

What does an echocardiogram show that an ECG does not?

an echocardiogram. Although they both monitor the heart, EKGs and echocardiograms are two different tests. An EKG looks for abnormalities in the heart's electrical impulses using electrodes. An echocardiogram looks for irregularities in the heart's structure using an ultrasound.

How long are echocardiogram results good for?

If you have mild valve disease or you have an artificial valve that is working normally, then every three years is good enough.

Will an echocardiogram show fluid around the heart?

Medical imaging is an effective way to determine whether someone has fluid around the heart. When a doctor suspects that a person has this condition, researchers recommend that they use an echocardiogram as their first diagnostic tool. This test can also show doctors the amount and location of the fluid.

Why would a doctor order an echocardiogram?

Doctors might want to see an echocardiogram to investigate signs or symptoms of heart diseases, like shortness of breath, chest discomfort or swelling in the legs. They might also order an echocardiogram if something abnormal, like a heart murmur, is detected during an exam.

Can an echocardiogram detect blood clots?

Echocardiography (echo). This test uses sound waves to create a moving picture of your heart. Doctors use echo to check heart function and detect blood clots inside the heart. EKG (electrocardiogram).

What does a doctor look for in an echocardiogram?

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.

Why do you hold your breath during an echocardiogram?

During a recording, you may be asked to change your position and to hold your breath. This allows the Sonographer to get the best pictures. Sometimes, the Sonographer may push the transducer more firmly against your skin.

What should you not do before an echocardiogram?

Don't eat or drink anything but water for 4 hours before the test. Don't drink or eat anything with caffeine (such as cola, chocolate, coffee, tea, or medications) for 24 hours before. Don't smoke the day of the test. Caffeine and nicotine might affect the results.

What are the 4 stages of congestive heart failure?

What is the difference between an ultrasound of the heart and an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram (echo) is a graphic outline of your heart's movement. During an echo test, your healthcare provider uses ultrasound (high-frequency sound waves) from a hand-held wand placed on your chest to take pictures of your heart's valves and chambers.

What are signs of a heart blockage?

Does an echocardiogram show inflammation?

It can show signs of heart muscle inflammation. Echocardiogram. Sound waves create moving images of the beating heart. An echocardiogram can show the heart's size and how well blood flows through the heart and heart valves.

What does a small heart blockage feel like?

Mini heart attack symptoms include:

Chest pain, or a feeling of pressure or squeezing in the center of the chest. This discomfort may last several minutes: It may also come and go. Pain may be experienced in the throat. Symptoms may be confused with indigestion or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

At what age should you get an echocardiogram?

60 percent of women think heart screenings should start after age 30 -- experts recommend 20.