Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram examination uses sound waves to produce pictures of your heart, allowing physicians to view your cardiovascular system. This procedure can help doctors identify heart disease or other heart-related problems.
Overview
Our medical staff at Hillcroft Physicians P.A. will use a standard or a Doppler ultrasound to diagnose, manage, or follow-up with patients who have any suspected or known heart diseases. The examination takes about 30 minutes and causes no major discomfort — only a coolness on your skin from the gel on the transducer. As soon as our physicians examine your results, we will discuss them with you.
Echocardiograms are performed to test:
- The overall functionality of your heart
- For any underlying heart diseases
- Medical or surgical treatment evaluation
Health Tips & Info
How should I prepare for my echocardiogram procedure?
There is no special preparation needed for a standard echocardiogram. You are free to carry on with your everyday activities. However, for some echocardiograms, the doctor will advise you to refrain from eating several hours beforehand. You’ll need to have a driver because the medication will make you incapable of driving.
What should I wear during my echocardiogram examination?
You are welcome to wear whatever feels best for you, but remember that you’ll be given a hospital gown to wear and be asked to remove all clothing from the waist up.
Are echocardiograms painful procedures?
Nobody should feel significant discomfort during an echocardiogram procedure. They are painless; there are times when you may feel coolness on your skin from the gel on the transducer or slight pressure on your chest from the transducer.