Hi, Welcome to Medicine with Dr. Moran. Today's video is about echocardiograms.
So what is an echocardiogram? This is a safe procedure. It's a painless
diagnostic test. It uses high frequency sound waves
so ultrasound to take moving pictures of the heart.
The test is performed by a technician who is called a sonographer
a sonographer meaning sound waves. These sound waves are directed at the heart
from a very small handheld transducer which you can kind
of think of as a camera. The transducer utilizes gel in order to
get better conduction to send and receive the sound waves that appear on
the screen and it generates an image, a moving image
in fact of the heart. It's in black and white
but color can be added to show blood flow moving in and out of the chambers.
Many measurements are taken during the test to determine how well your heart is
performing. It allows us to see the heart valves, the
heart chambers, and to assess the function of the heart
as well as pressures inside the heart. It does not
allow us to see the coronary arteries or to evaluate for blockages in them.
Stress testing would be required if we were going to evaluate for coronary
artery blockages. I am a registered sonographer myself I
have certification and recertification exams in echo
scoring in fact in the top two percent of examinees.
Providing accurate comprehensive examinations are important to us.
We do use state-of-the-art four-dimensional echo equipment
with networked four-dimensional interpretation and reporting software.
What should people be doing to prepare for the test? You don't really need to do
a lot to prepare for the test. First of all we
like it if there's no smoking for a couple of hours before if you're a
smoker. Please do not apply any scented lotions,
perfume, or aftershave. We are a fragrance free office for the
comfort of all of our patients. Patients may eat and perform normal
activities and continue to take their medications
as prescribed by their doctor. The time that we give you has been
reserved for you with the sonographer. If for any reason you cannot attend
please call my office to reschedule. We do expect you to attend at your
scheduled time. How long does it take to do the test? The
test generally takes about 45 minutes from
start to finish. My sonographer will perform the test
keeping patient comfort and safety in mind.
Is it an uncomfortable test? No, ultrasound does not hurt.
It can't be felt. If patients experience any discomfort they should notify the
sonographer performing the test. Generally we get people to have the test
done while they're lying on their left side which brings
the heart up closer to the chest wall so they get better pictures.
Some of the images are taken while they're on their back
and we do typically take some pictures with the transducer
in the notch right here of your neck. There are no known harmful effects from
diagnostic cardiac ultrasound there's no radiation for example like
CT or X-ray. There are no material risks to the test.
On rare occasions when the transducer is placed between your ribs to get pictures
this might provoke a little bit of discomfort particularly if your rib
space is small or tender. What happens when you arrive for the
test? When you come to my laboratory you'll be asked to sign the bottom of
of an information sheet giving your
consent for the procedure. The information sheet goes over all the
points that we're reviewing on this video.
Sign this only if you wish to proceed after having read and the fact that you
understand and have had an opportunity to ask any
questions. My staff are available to help you with
that. Once of course in the lab the
sonographer will give you a top to put on
if you're a lady your bra needs to be removed.
Your height and weight is needed ECG monitoring leads will be applied and
your blood pressure will be taken. You lie on your left side as well as
back for your test as I mentioned. The room is darkened to facilitate us being
able to see the images better on our screen. Although the technician
performing the test can see what's going on with your heart
she cannot provide any information about the test results to you.
This is something your physicians or other health care providers will be
doing. While you're being scanned do not talk
because this can image can worsen image quality. The test will
be interpreted by myself and I will securely extend the report to
your physician immediately after the test.
Thank you for watching today's video about echocardiograms.
If you liked this video please give it a like and if you'd like to see more stuff
like this please subscribe. I'm Dr. Keith Moran. Thanks for watching.
Remember get healthy and stay healthy.