Echocardiogram Adult Heart

 

Services | Echocardiography

Echocardiography provides your doctor with moving images of your heart using ultrasound technology to study your heart anatomy and its function to help your doctor evaluate your heart health. The most common type of echocardiography is non-invasive and does not involve any preparation or fasting.

 A cardiac sonographer who is specially trained will use an ultrasound transducer on your chest to look at your heart through the chest wall and your rib cage. Ultrasound technology uses sound waves to produce the images of your heart. It is the same technology that is used to study unborn babies. No radiation is involved in echocardiography and it can be performed on patients of all ages.

Why is an echocardiogram performed?

Patient who may benefit from the information gained in this study include patients with unexplained chest or upper arm pain; a heart murmur; a minor heart attack; a heart defect;  history of heart disease and for patients who are undergoing complex non cardiac surgery or chemotherapy. 

What does the study show my doctor?

Your doctor has referred you for an echocardiogram to evaluate your heart’s performance as well as the structures of the heart, including the heart chambers and valves. An echo may sometimes also be used to look for the cause of 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 has short of breath or has complained of certain symptoms during exertion.

Is there any special preparation?

There is no special preparation required for an echocardiogram. You should come as you are and eat or drink as you normally do. If you take medications, you should continue to take them as normal unless your doctor specifies otherwise. The study will take between 45 minutes and one hour


 

Echocardiogram examinations are performed at the following South Coast Radiology locations:

  • John Flynn Hospital
  • Pindara Private Hospital
  • Southport
  • Tweed Heads