Doctor’s Request for EchocardiographyĪ doctor will request an echocardiography if the patients exhibits signs and symptoms that are indicative of a heart problem. The second way of doing stress echocardiography involves the use of a drug such as dobutamine or adenosine which stimulates the heart to work like you are exercising. The first involves exercising on a treadmill or stationary bike and the echocardiograph is conducted before and after the exercise. 3) Stress echocardiographyĪ stress echocardiography can be done in two ways. The esophagus is anatomically close to the heart and can give clearer images since there are no other interfering structures such as the lungs. In a transesophageal echocardiography, the transducer is inserted into the esophagus, the structure between the throat and the stomach. The transducer emits high frequency sound waves and produce images of the heart. Transthoracic echocardiography involves the use of a handheld device or transducer that is placed on the patient’s chest. Types of Echocardiography 1) Transthoracic echocardiography A doctor may also order an echocardiography for monitoring patients with known heart conditions as part of disease management. Given the valuable information obtained from echocardiography, it has become one of the most commonly used diagnostic tests for heart problems. It provides important information about the heart including changes in the heart’s structure, function of heart valves, the type of heart failure if any, the pumping capacity of the heart, and severity of damage if any. The Value of EchocardiographyĮchocardiography is a non invasive procedure that uses ultrasound waves to create an image of the heart as it functions in real time. A stress test may also be done to evaluate heart function when it is under stress since some problems may become evident only when the heart is working harder than normal. Coronary angiography is commonly used to assess the arteries of the heart. Echocardiography or echo test provides information about the structure and function of the heart and is considered to be the best diagnostic test for detecting heart failure. An echocardiogram can be used to detect enlargement of the heart muscle, abnormal heart rhythms, and presence of coronary artery disease. There are different diagnostic tests that can be done upon the request of a doctor to assess the function of the heart and detect any possible problems.Īmong the most common tests done to assess heart function include echocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography or echo test, coronary angiography, and stress test. When it comes to heart problems, early screening plays an indispensible role in ensuring that the damage is limited and complications do not arise from the health condition. Several factors are believed to have contributed to this reduction in mortality including early screening, better control of risk factors, and improved management of heart diseases. Over the last four decades, the rate of mortality caused by heart disease in the United States has gradually declined. Defining Cardiovascular DiseaseĪ cardiovascular disease is defined as a disease or injury of the cardiovascular system which includes the heart, blood vessels of the heart, and the veins and arteries in the brain and the rest of the body. were projected to reach almost $109 billion in healthcare services, medications, and productivity loss. In 2010, the costs associated with coronary heart disease in the U.S. In 2008, almost 1 out of 4 individuals with heart disease died from the disease in the U.S. Heart disease can affect both men and women and the most common type of heart condition is coronary heart disease. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States.
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