echocardiogram
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Echocardiogram

Echocardiogram

Last Reviewed : 12/25/2020
Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram (echo) is a test that uses high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to make pictures of your heart. The test is also called echocardiography or diagnostic cardiac ultrasound.

  • An echo uses sound waves to create pictures of your heart’s chambers, valves, walls and the blood vessels (aorta, arteries, veins) attached to your heart.
  • A probe called a transducer is passed over your chest. The probe produces sound waves that bounce off your heart and “echo” back to the probe. These waves are changed into pictures viewed on a video monitor.
  • An echo can’t harm you.

The test helps your doctor find out:

  • The size and shape of your heart, and the size, thickness and movement of your heart’s walls.
  • How your heart moves.
  • The heart’s pumping strength.
  • If the heart valves are working correctly.
  • If blood is leaking backwards through your heart valves (regurgitation).
  • If the heart valves are too narrow (stenosis).
  • If there is a tumor or infectious growth around your heart valves.

The test also will help your doctor find out if there are:

  • Problems with the outer lining of your heart (the pericardium).
  • Problems with the large blood vessels that enter and leave the heart.
  • Blood clots in the chambers of your heart.
  • Abnormal holes between the chambers of the heart.

An echo doesn’t hurt and has no side effects.

 

We researched this topic for you and found the following best online resources. They are categorized into basic, advanced, and research level based on the extent of information you need. You will be taken to the respective websites by pressing on the links below.

 

Basic information:

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/echocardiogram#1 web md echocardiogram

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003869.htm medline plus echocardiogram

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/heart/diagnostics-testing/ultrasound-tests/echocardiogram cleveland clinic echocardiogram

http://www.heartsite.com/html/echocardiogram.html heart site echocardiogram

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/echocardiogram/pages/introduction.aspx nhs uk echocardiogram

http://www.heart.org/heartorg/conditions/heartattack/symptomsdiagnosisofheartattack/echocardiogram---echo_ucm_451485_article.jsp#.waszunkufp0 heart . Org echocardiogram

http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/echocardiogram/basics/definition/prc-20013918 mayoclinic echocardiogram

http://www.healthline.com/health/echocardiogram health line echocardiogram

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/cardiovascular/echocardiogram_92,p07969/ john hopkins medical library echocardiogram

http://www.bupa.co.uk/health-information/directory/e/echocardiogram bupa echocardiogram

http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/en/healthaz/testsandtreatments/tests/pages/echocardiogram.aspx about kids health echocardiogram

https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/medical-tests/hw212692 health link bc echocardiogram

http://www.everydayhealth.com/echocardiogram/guide/ everyday health what is an echocardiogram?

http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/test/echocardiogram/overview.html new york times echocardiogram

 

Advanced information:

http://patient.info/in/health/echocardiogram patient echocardiogram

http://www.medicinenet.com/echocardiogram/article.htm medicine net echocardiogram

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/nbk2215/ chapter 4understanding the echocardiogram

 

 

Related videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ekdhhf-jlg tests and procedures~echocardiogram

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/video/echocardiogram echocardiogram

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twa0lm5_1de echocardiogram

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wa1qjsm7d0 echocardiogram - heart ultrasound

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wnc2nd32hk echocardiography for beginners

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbwn3uo3_cg echocardiogram demonstration

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h526qx_exgw tutorial: basic echocardiography

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjeuhyhvlv4 echocardiogram

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