Echocardiography

About Echocardiography

Echocardiography is a diagnostic test that uses ultrasound to produce images of the heart. It is a non-invasive and painless test that allows healthcare providers to see how the heart is functioning, including its size, shape, and movement of the heart walls.

There are several types of echocardiography, including transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), and stress echocardiography. TTE is the most common type and involves placing a handheld ultrasound transducer on the patient’s chest to produce images of the heart. TEE involves inserting a transducer into the patient’s esophagus to produce images of the heart from a different perspective. Stress echocardiography is performed while the patient is exercising or using medication to stress the heart and evaluate its response.

Echocardiography is used to diagnose a variety of heart conditions, such as valve problems, heart disease, and congenital heart defects. It can also be used to monitor the progression of heart conditions and the effectiveness of treatment.

Overall, echocardiography is a safe and effective way to evaluate heart function and is a valuable tool for diagnosing and managing heart conditions.