What You Should Know About Your Ultrasound Examination

What Does This Ultrasound Examination Look At?

An echocardiogram is a safe, non-invasive procedure used to examine your heart and potentially diagnose problems.  It uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to see all four chambers of the heart, the heart valves, the great blood vessels entering and leaving the heart, as well as the sack around the heart.

Why Should I Have an Ultrasound Exam?

There are many reasons that your physician may request that you have an echocardiography examination.  Physicians use echocardiography to look for abnormalities in the large physical structures of the heart, including the heart chambers and valves.  An echocardiogram also may be used to look for the cause of an abnormal heart sound (a murmur), to check the size of the heart chambers, to check for fluid around the heart, or to inspect the pumping capability (the muscles) of the heart if a patient is short of breath or has complained of certain symptoms during exertion.

Are There Any Special Preparations for the Exam?

There is no special preparation for this examination.  For your convenience, you should wear a top that can be removed easily for the ultrasound examination.  The room is usually darkened during the examination to make it easier for the sonographer or doctor to see the pictures on the computer screen.  After the examination, you may safely drive home and eat and drink normally.

Will It Hurt?

There is no pain involved in an ultrasound examination of your heart.  The transducer is placed on the skin surface after a gel is applied to your skin to provide better contact.  The gel may feel cool and may temporarily make your clothing stick to your skin, similar to having lotion on your skin.  Therefore, you may want to wear easily washable clothing..  The room is usually darkened during the examination.

How Long Will It Take?

The length of time for the examination varies with the complexity of the exam and the specific reasons for which it was requested.  After the exam, you can safely drive home and eat and drink normally.

Who Will Perform the Exam?

A sonographer or a vascular technologist trained in ultrasound will examine you.  He or she obtains and records a series of images.  The doctor then reviews the images, may discuss your exam with the sonographer or vascular technologist, and will then issue an official interpretation.  This interpretation may not be available immediately after you have your exam.  In some cases, the doctor will also examine you to confirm or resolve uncertain or unclear findings.

Is Ultrasound Safe?

Yes, there are no known harmful effects associated with the medical use of sonography.