Echocardiogram

Echocardiogram: is a sonogram of the heart. This procedure is similar to a sonogram. Sound waves are used to take pictures of the heart. We measure the heart chambers, assess the function of the heart muscle, and evaluate for dysfunction of the heart valve.

This test is performed if a patient complains of shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling, or palpitations. The doctor may wish to have this test performed if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, have had a heart attack, or had an angioplasty or stent. Your doctor may also wish to perform this test if they detect a heart murmur upon physical examination.

The procedure is noninvasive and simply requires a sonographic probe to be placed on your chest
in various locations. There is no preparation required. Please allow us 20 to 30 minutes for the test. If this is your first time at our facility we ask you to arrive 15 minutes before to your appointment to complete paper work. Your doctor will receive a full report the following day.