Echocardiogram: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results

Echocardiogram: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results explains how an echocardiogram works and why it may be ordered. The test is an ultrasound imaging procedure that produces real-time images of the heart’s motion and blood flow, helping clinicians assess structure and function. It may be recommended when symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, or fainting occur, or when other tests like a stethoscope exam or an EKG suggest a potential structural issue. Common reasons include suspected heart valve disease, heart rhythm irregularities, and cardiac muscle conditions such as dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The article also describes specific uses, including detection of mitral valve prolapse, measuring blood-flow velocity with Doppler in conditions like aortic stenosis, evaluating congenital defects, and estimating ejection fraction to judge heart pumping efficiency. It further notes that certain echocardiograms under stress can help assess coronary artery disease, and that the test can evaluate pericardium problems, pressure linked to pulmonary hypertension, and overall heart size and structure.