What can an echocardiogram detect?
Written in association with:
Cardiologist
Published: 11/05/2022
Edited by: Conor Lynch
Dr Paramjit Jeetley is the latest elite doctor to provide his medical expertise for one of today’s informative articles. In our latest one here, the highly regarded London-based consultant cardiologist describes what an echocardiogram is, and what it is used to detect, as well as revealing when it is one hundred per cent required.
What is an echocardiogram?
It is an ultrasound scan of the heart designed to look at the function and structure of the heart. It is very safe and is similar to the scan used to assess the development of babies during pregnancy. It uses soundwaves to look at the heart in detail and can assess the heart in a number of ways, including detailed measurements of the heart chambers, assessment of the heart pump function and and analysis of the heart valve function.
When is it used? When is it absolutely required?
It is used when an accurate assessment of the structure of the heart is required. This is very common in a number of heart related conditions such as following a heart attack, assessment of a heart murmur or in any situation where an abnormality of the heart is suspected. As it can detect any structural abnormalities in the heart that may be causing symptoms, it is one of the most frequently used cardiac investigations.
What is it designed to detect?
Echocardiograms are designed to detect any abnormalities in the structures in and around the heart, including all the four major heart chambers, the main four heart valves, and the major blood vessels connected to the heart and the lining surrounding the heart. This is important in the assessment of the vast majority of cardiac conditions.
How fast is it? How reliable is it?
It depends on the type of echocardiogram being performed. A standard echocardiogram (known as a trans-thoracic echo) is performed by an operator, using a probe on the front of the chest to take the imaging. This will typically take up to between 30 and 40 minutes. There are also more complex scans that are performed which may take longer. Echocardiograms are very safe and reliable. It is the first-line test that is used to evaluate the heart for any structural abnormality when a cardiac condition is suspected.
After I have an echocardiogram, what is the next step?
It depends on why the echocardiogram has been performed. If the test is completely normal, then any significant structural abnormality of the heart can be excluded. This is obviously reassuring, but any further investigations are dependent on what cardiac condition is being investigated at the time. This judgement is usually made by the requesting consultant.
Dr Paramjit Jeetley is an extremely revered consultant cardiologist who specialises in performing echocardiograms. Consult with him today via his Top Doctors profile.