When it comes to understanding your heart health, technology plays a vital role. One important tool doctors use is the echocardiogram.
If you have been told that you need an echocardiogram, you may wonder, “What does an echocardiogram show, and why is it necessary?”
Let us discuss what this test is, why it is done, and how it helps diagnose heart conditions.
What Is an Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram, often called an “echo,” is a painless test that uses sound waves to create detailed images of your heart. These sound waves bounce off your heart and produce real-time pictures on a screen.
Your doctor can use these images to see how your heart is beating and how blood is flowing through it.
Types of Echocardiograms
There are different types of echocardiograms, each serving a specific purpose. Depending on what your doctor needs to examine, you might undergo one of the following.
Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE)
This is the most common and non-invasive type of echocardiogram. A soundwave probe, called a transducer, is placed on your chest to capture live images of your heart.
It helps assess heart structure, function, and blood flow, commonly used to diagnose conditions like valve problems or heart failure.
Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)
This test involves passing a specialized probe down your throat and into your esophagus, which is located close to the heart. The proximity allows for clearer and more detailed images than a standard TTE.
TEE is particularly useful for detecting blood clots, infections in the heart valves, or other abnormalities that may not be visible with a TTE.
Stress Echocardiogram
This test evaluates how your heart functions under stress – either during exercise (e.g., running on a treadmill) or after being given medication like dobutamine to mimic physical exertion.
It is often used to diagnose coronary artery disease, monitor heart function after a heart attack, or determine safe levels of activity for individuals with heart conditions.
Fetal Echocardiogram
This specialized test uses ultrasound to examine the heart of an unborn baby, typically during the second trimester of pregnancy. It is used to detect congenital heart defects, monitor fetal heart development, and help plan for medical care needed at birth if abnormalities are found.
Your doctor will determine the type of echocardiogram best suited to answer your clinical needs.
What Does an Echocardiogram Show
An echocardiogram provides detailed insights into your heart’s structure and function, including the following key areas.
Heart Chambers
It shows the size and shape of your heart’s chambers, including the left and right atria and ventricles. An enlarged heart or poorly functioning chambers may signal conditions such as cardiomyopathy (hypertrophic, dilated, or restrictive forms) or heart failure, impacting the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively.
Heart Valves
Echocardiograms evaluate how well your heart valves are functioning. They can detect valve disease, such as stenosis (narrowing that restricts blood flow) or regurgitation (leaky valves causing blood to flow backward).
These findings are crucial in determining the severity and guiding treatment plans.
Blood Flow
Using Doppler imaging technology, an echocardiogram visualizes blood movement through your heart and blood vessels. This helps identify irregular blood flow, which may indicate heart disease, congenital heart defects, or valve problems that impact circulation.
Heart Muscle Function
The test assesses how well your heart muscle is contracting and pumping blood to your body. Poor pumping action may indicate conditions like cardiomyopathy (thickened, enlarged, or stiffened muscle) or damage from a heart attack, affecting the heart’s ability to function.
Blood Clots and Infection
Echocardiograms can detect blood clots within the heart chambers, which increase the risk of stroke or complications, particularly in conditions like atrial fibrillation.
They can also identify infective endocarditis — infections that damage the heart’s valves or chambers — and guide appropriate treatment.
Congenital Heart Defects
An echocardiogram is key for identifying congenital heart disease, such as septal defects (holes in the heart), abnormal connections between chambers, or malformed valves. It helps assess the severity and plan necessary interventions.
Pericardial Disease
Echocardiograms can diagnose disorders of the sac surrounding the heart, such as pericardial effusion (fluid buildup) or pericarditis (inflammation). These conditions can lead to chest pain and impact heart function if left untreated.
Aortic Aneurysm
Echocardiograms can detect weak spots or bulging areas in the aorta, known as aortic aneurysms, which can lead to life-threatening complications if not addressed promptly.
Cardiac Tumors
Echocardiograms may reveal abnormal masses or growths in the heart, such as benign or malignant tumors, requiring further investigation to determine the appropriate course of action.
Understand Echocardiogram and What Does an Echocardiogram Show With Palm Primary Care in Texas
Understanding your heart health can be a significant step toward improving your overall well-being.
At Palm Primary Care, we specialize in providing compassionate, top-quality care tailored to your unique needs. Whether you need an echocardiogram or advice on maintaining heart health, our dedicated team of providers is here to help.
Contact us today at (866) 840-7728 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced providers. You can also set up a consultation with one of our providers at Palm Primary Care using our patient portal. We look forward to serving you!
