Echocardiogram
The echo test and its uses:
The echocardiogram is an extremely useful test for studying the heart’s anatomy. It is a non-invasive procedure and is entirely safe and when interpreted by well-trained cardiologists, is very accurate.
How is the echocardiogram performed?
The patient lies on a bed or examination table and the echo technician places a transducer (a device that resembles a computer mouse) over the chest wall. The transducer is moved back and forth across the chest wall, collecting several “views” of the heart. A Vaseline-like gel is applied to the chest wall to aid in sliding the transducer back and forth. The test takes 30 - 60 minutes to complete.
How does the echocardiogram work?
The transducer placed on the chest sends sound waves toward the heart. Like the sonar on a submarine, the sound waves bounce off the cardiac structures (that is, they “echo” off the heart). The sound wave “echos” are collected by the transducer. These returning sound waves are computer-processed and two-dimensional images of the beating heart are produced on a television screen. By “aiming” the transducer, most of the important cardiac structures can be imaged by the echocardiogram.
For more information about Echocardiograms or to
schedule an appointment, please call our Cardiology Department at 607.729.8833
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