UK Cardiology Screening Services
What is an echocardiogram? An echocardiogram, also known as an echo, is a useful tool to evaluate the structure and function of the heart and associated blood vessels. It is a painless and harmless test that uses ultrasound waves to produce images of the heart. The test is performed by a specially trained technologist, called a sonographer, and is interpreted by a specially-trained physician, usually a cardiologist, trained in reading echocardiograms
How do I prepare for an echo? There is no special preparation required for an echocardiogram. You should come as you are and eat or drink as you normally do. The test normally takes about half an hour
What should I expect during the test? The ultrasound examination room will be dimly lit and will contain a special examination table or stretcher and an ultrasound machine. You may be asked a few questions by the sonographer who will want to know if you have had previous tests and if you have ever had heart surgery. You will be asked to remove your clothing from the waist up. Women will be given a gown to wear during the procedure. The sonographer will then attach ECG lead wires to electrodes adhered to your chest. The lights may be dimmed to allow the sonographer to see the monitor better. The sonographer will apply ultrasound gel to a transducer. The transducer is a wand like device that sends and receives the harmless ultrasound waves. The gel allows the ultrasound beams to penetrate your chest wall so that it is possible to “see” your heart. Next, the sonographer will begin to acquire ultrasound images and audio recordings by methodically and precisely moving the transducer around on your chest, stomach, and neck. The sonographer will be viewing these images on a monitor and will take various recordings at several different locations or “views”. During recording, you may be asked to change your position and to hold your breath. These variations in position and breathing allow the Sonographer to obtain the best quality pictures. The sonographer will press the transducer against your skin and this pressure may be moderate at times to facilitate the transmission of ultrasound waves. If it becomes too uncomfortable, please let the sonographer know and he/she will allow you to take a short break. The images and sounds of the exam will be recorded on a computer disk and/or videotape for later review.
What will I see and hear on the echocardiography machine during my test? Ultrasound waves used in performing the echocardiogram are not audible to the human ear, so you will not hear the sound waves. Structures will be displayed in “real-time” and appear as white moving objects on the screen. For example, the valves of the heart will look like white flap-like moving structures. Areas of the heart where there is fluid or blood look black on the screen. During the test, you will notice the sonographer placing marks on the screen with small computer callipers. The sonographer uses the callipers to perform various measurements of the size, function and blood flow of the heart. An echocardiogram test usually includes a Doppler recording of the blood movement or flow within the heart. When colour flow Doppler is used in the test it will appear as different colours moving within the white and black images on the monitor. The different colours represent the different speeds and directions of blood flow in the heart. Doppler examinations often also include an audio signal of the blood flow. These audio signals can be heard and seen. During the audio Doppler recording, you will hear the sound of the blood moving through the heart and the sound of the heart valves opening and closing. The audio signals are also displayed as a graph on the monitor. These graphic recordings help the physician to determine valve function and heart pressures.
What happens after the test? Following the recording of the images, the Sonographer will remove the ECG electrodes from your chest and you can then wipe off the ultrasound gel from your skin. The ultrasound images and Doppler recordings will be submitted to the Cardiologist who is a specially-trained physician in reading echocardiograms. He or she will interpret the echocardiogram and will provide the Army with a written report.
