What is an echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram is an imaging test that uses sound waves to produce images of your heart and surrounding vessels. These images are then shared with a computer that generates an animated visual of your heart's walls and valves as they move and pump blood, helping your doctor or advanced practice clinician (APC) assess your heart function.
ARC Cardiology offers standard echocardiograms and stress echocardiograms for patients 18 and older. A referral from your physician or APC is required to schedule an echocardiogram at ARC.
What to expect during an echocardiogram
At ARC, echocardiograms are scheduled for one hour, depending on the type of test ordered.
If the structures of your heart are difficult to see, your sonographer may use an intravenous (IV) contrast to help the heart chambers show up better in the images. The IV contrast is not iodine-based and is safe to use if you are allergic to shrimp or shellfish.
Note: You may be asked to stay for further evaluation if your test shows highly abnormal results to ensure you are closely supervised and given the best treatment plan for your condition.
Why get an echocardiogram?
Your cardiologist may obtain an echocardiogram if you have signs or symptoms of a heart condition. Echocardiograms may also help guide treatment decisions, measure the effectiveness of treatment, or determine the severity of a previously diagnosed heart condition.
Echocardiograms
During a standard echocardiogram:
- You will lie on your left side on an examination table. A pillow or wedge may be placed behind your back for support.
- You will be asked to remove any clothes or items that may interfere with the test and be given a gown to wear.
- You are then connected to an electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor, which records your heart’s electrical activity and keeps track of your heart during the procedure.
- The room will be darkened so the images on the echocardiogram monitor can be clearly seen by the sonographer performing your test.
- Your sonographer will apply warmed gel on your chest and then place a transducer probe on the gel. You will feel slight pressure as your sonographer positions the transducer to get the desired images of your heart.
- Throughout the test, your sonographer will move the transducer probe around your chest and apply varying amounts of pressure to get images of different locations and structures of your heart. The amount of pressure behind the probe should not cause you discomfort. If you feel any discomfort, please let your sonographer know.
- You may be asked to hold your breath, take deep breaths, or sniff through your nose to obtain clearer images.
- If the structures of your heart are difficult to see, your sonographer may use an intravenous (IV) contrast to help the heart chambers show up better in the images. The IV contrast is not iodine-based and is safe to use if you are allergic to shrimp or shellfish.
- After the procedure, your sonographer will wipe the gel from your chest and remove the ECG electrode pads. You'll then be able to put on any clothes or items that you removed before the start of the test.
- The images acquired are processed and later reviewed by your cardiologist.
Stress echocardiograms
During a stress echocardiogram:
- A limited standard echocardiogram will be performed first to acquire images of your heart and surrounding structures before walking on the treadmill. We obtain a limited echocardiogram prior to the stress echocardiogram to assess you for conditions which may make the stress echocardiogram portion dangerous. If any concerning findings are detected, we may cancel the stress echocardiogram and instead perform a full echocardiogram.
- If the structures of your heart are difficult to see, your sonographer may use an intravenous (IV) contrast to help the heart chambers show up better in the images. The IV contrast is not iodine-based and is safe to use if you are allergic to shrimp or shellfish.
- After resting images are taken, you will exercise on a treadmill to your maximum effort, starting slowly and then gradually increasing in pace and incline until you reach your target heart rate set and/or reach your maximum exercise tolerance as determined by our staff supervising the test. Your blood pressure and heart rhythm are monitored throughout the procedure.
- After exercising, you will quickly transfer to the imaging bed where your sonographer will take a second set of echocardiogram images.
- After the procedure, your sonographer will wipe the gel from your chest and remove the ECG electrode pads. You'll then be able to put on any clothes or items that you removed before the start of the test.
- The images acquired at rest and exercise are processed and later reviewed by your cardiologist.
Note: An ARC cardiologist is always present at the site during the stress echocardiogram.