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An echocardiogram provides vital information that helps diagnose and treat many heart problems. John Terzian, MD, FACC, and the team at Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, offer echocardiography facilities onsite, which is far more convenient for patients. Call Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, today to learn more about undergoing an echocardiogram or request a consultation using the online booking feature.
Echocardiogram Q & A
What is an echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram is a heart scan that uses ultrasound technology to discover information about your heart’s structure and function. It uses high-frequency sound waves directed through a handheld transducer to create images of the heart’s valves and chambers.
At Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, Dr. Terzian may combine echocardiography with other ultrasound techniques, like Doppler, to assess the blood flow within your heart. Many cardiac tests, including echocardiograms, are done onsite.
What benefits does an echocardiogram offer?
An echocardiogram is a highly beneficial test that helps diagnose patients suffering from cardiovascular system symptoms. Some of its many benefits include the following:
- Accurate heart function and structure images
- Entirely noninvasive
- No downtime is required afterward
- Procedures might only take 15 minutes
Echocardiography is particularly useful for detecting abnormalities in the heart valves, chambers, or walls.
When might I need an echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram can be invaluable for assessing patients with known or suspected heart disorders. Dr. Terzian might recommend one if you experience common symptoms of underlying heart problems, such as:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Palpitations
People with an increased risk of heart disease, for example, those with high blood pressure and/or diabetes, could benefit from a screening echocardiogram to assess their heart’s health.
What happens during an echocardiogram?
The procedure Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, most often performs is a transthoracic echocardiogram. You lie down on your left side, and the cardiac testing team attaches sticky sensors or electrodes to the skin on your chest. The sensors connect to a machine that monitors your heart’s rhythm and other activity.
Your provider applies a cold lubricating gel to your skin and then moves the transducer over your heart. You might hear a swishing noise, which is the blood flow through your heart. An echocardiogram can take between 15 and 60 minutes to show the heart in detail. Afterward, you can continue your day unaffected by the scan.
Sometimes, patients have issues like excess fat or scar tissue that blocks sound waves, so transthoracic echocardiograms can’t get a good enough image of the heart. If so, an alternative is a transesophageal echocardiogram. This involves having a slender transducer passed down your throat so it’s next to your heart.
Contact Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, to learn more about having an echocardiogram. To make an appointment, call or complete the online booking form.