Understanding an Echocardiogram: What to Expect
What Is an Echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram -- often called an "echo" -- is an ultrasound of the heart. It uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time, moving images of your heart. It is painless, non-invasive, and does not use radiation.
It is one of the most commonly performed cardiac tests and provides a wealth of information about your heart in a single examination.
What Does an Echocardiogram Show?
An echocardiogram can show the size and shape of the heart chambers, how strongly the heart muscle is pumping (ejection fraction), whether the heart valves are opening and closing properly, blood flow patterns through the heart using colour Doppler, fluid around the heart (pericardial effusion), and congenital heart defects.
It is the primary test for diagnosing and monitoring heart failure, valve disease, cardiomyopathy, and many other cardiac conditions.
Why Your Doctor May Have Ordered an Echocardiogram
Common reasons include a heart murmur detected during examination, shortness of breath or reduced exercise tolerance, chest pain, palpitations or irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure (to check for heart muscle thickening), follow-up after a heart attack, and monitoring of known heart valve disease or heart failure.
Worried about these symptoms?
All consultations and cardiac tests at Complete Heart Centre are 100% bulk billed through Medicare. All cardiology referrals accepted. No gap fees, no out-of-pocket costs.
What Happens During the Test
You will be asked to undress from the waist up and lie on your left side on an examination bed. A cardiac sonographer or cardiologist will apply a small amount of gel to your chest and press a transducer (probe) against your chest wall.
The transducer sends sound waves into your chest that bounce off the heart structures and return as echoes. These echoes are converted into moving images on a screen. The operator will move the probe to different positions on your chest to capture views of the heart from multiple angles.
The test takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes. You may hear a whooshing sound -- this is the Doppler measuring blood flow through your heart. The test is painless, though you may feel some pressure from the probe.
How to Prepare
No special preparation is needed for a standard echocardiogram. You can eat, drink, and take your medications as normal. We recommend wearing a two-piece outfit so you can easily remove the top half of your clothing.
At Complete Heart Centre, echocardiograms are fully bulk billed through Medicare. You will not pay anything out of pocket. The results are typically reviewed by Dr Grewal on the same day and discussed with you during your consultation.
Related Services -- All Bulk Billed Through Medicare
Learn more about the diagnostic tests and consultations mentioned in this article. Every service is $0 out-of-pocket with a Medicare card and GP referral.
Take Action Today — Your Heart Check Is Free
With a Medicare card and GP referral, your specialist consultation and all cardiac tests at Complete Heart Centre are completely free. Three clinics -- Sydenham, Bundoora and Williams Landing.
