Echocardiogram Specialist

What is an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram, also called an echo, is a type of ultrasound. The noninvasive test uses sound waves to generate moving images of your heart that allow the team at Laurelton Heart Specialists to assess cardiac structure and function. 

What type of information does an echocardiogram provide?

The team at Laurelton Heart Specialists offers the advanced diagnostic test because of the information it provides about your heart, which helps to formulate a diagnosis. The ultrasound test evaluates the:

• Size of your heart
• Structures within your heart
• Strength of your cardiac muscles
• Coronary blood vessels
• Structural defects

The echocardiogram also allows the team to look for blood clots and tumors within your heart. 

What are the types of echocardiogram?

Laurelton Heart Specialists offers many types of echocardiograms. The types include:

Rest echocardiogram

The rest echocardiogram is the most common echocardiogram. During the test, the technician at Laurelton Heart Specialists places a transducer on your chest, which sends sound waves into your body. 

The sound waves bounce off the structures in your chest and return to the transducer, which sends the information to a computer that translates the information into moving images.

Stress echocardiogram

The stress echocardiogram is similar to the rest echocardiogram. However, the test includes an additional step in which your heart rate is increased to a specific target, either through exercise or medication. The team at Laurelton Heart Specialists performs the echocardiogram before and after the exercise.

Heart conditions such as coronary heart disease are easier to diagnose when your heart is pumping harder. 

2D-echocardiogram

During your 2D-echocardiogram, the team at Laurelton Heart Specialists includes additional tests to provide more information about cardiac activity. This may include an electrocardiogram (EKG) to assess electrical activity, as well as a Doppler exam to assess the flow of blood through the arteries in your heart.

The cardiologists at Laurelton Heart Specialists determine the echocardiogram best suited for you during your evaluation. 

What heart conditions are diagnosed with an echocardiogram?

The echocardiogram may help the cardiologists at Laurelton Heart Specialists accurately diagnose the cause of your symptoms. Among heart conditions the team may be able to confirm with the diagnostic test are:

• Congenital heart defects
• Valve problems
• Heart damage after a heart attack
• Heart failure
• Risk of stroke

The diagnostic test may also be used to assess heart health after the team initiates your treatment plan to monitor changes and adjust as needed.

Advanced diagnostic tests like an echocardiogram help the cardiologists at Laurelton Heart Specialists to diagnose heart disease. To learn more, call the office or request an appointment online today.