An echocardiogram is a scan that shows a detailed view of the structures of your heart to see how well your heart is working. A probe is used to send out sound waves to the heart, which are reflected by the muscles and tissues in your heart.
There are three other variations of echocardiogram available at our heart clinics:
• Stress echocardiogram:
A stress echocardiogram carried out during exercise or after being given and injection of medication which makes the work harder. It is used to detect coronary artery disease and can show if there is narrowing of the blood vessels supplying the heart.
• Bubble echocardiogram or bubble study:
A bubble echocardiogram is carried out to detect holes between the top chambers of the heart, such as PFO. An echocardiogram is performed whilst a small amount of saline is injected into the bloodstream through a cannula in the arm. The saline and blood are mixed to create microbubbles which can be seen to enter the right size of the heart; if they pass to the left side a hole in the heart is confirmed.
• Trans-oesophageal echocardiogram:
A transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE) is a test using ultrasound to produce moving images of your heart. It shows both the structure of your heart and how well it’s working.
This type of ultrasound can also be used as guide for a surgeon whilst undergoing heart surgery.
An echocardiogram is an ideal diagnostic test for anyone who wishes to have a general heart check. Additionally, if you have a family history of heart disease, if you have risk factors for cardiac disease, or cardiac symptoms such as chest pain or palpitations, we recommend you get an echocardiogram to ascertain the cause. The test is useful for diagnosing enlarged left or right sides of the heart, problems with the heart valves and to investigate the causes of heart murmurs or heart attacks.
An echocardiogram can detect:
• Damaged heart muscle from a previous heart attack
• A heart that is not pumping blood well
• An enlarged heart
• An enlarged aorta
• Valve abnormalities
• Valve infections
• Holes in the heart