Offered at our 5301 Vernon Ave. S. location.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram, or echo, is an ultrasound study of your heart muscle, heart valves and pericardium (the sac surrounding your heart). This painless test uses sound waves to see how well your heart is working.
A wand-like instrument makes the sound waves. As the ultrasound wand is moved over your chest, pictures of your heart appear on a screen and are recorded digitally. An echocardiogram takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete.
Patient preparation
You may eat and drink as usual. Take any medications you normally take. Wear loose, comfortable clothing (slacks and a top). Tell the technician if you are pregnant.
Patient experience
You will undress to your waist and be given a gown to wear. A technician will put electrocardiogram (EKG) patches on your chest to monitor your heartbeat.
You will lie on your left side on an exam table.
The exam room will be darkened to help the technician see the screen on the ultrasound machine.
The technician will put gel on the ultrasound wand before putting it on your chest.
The wand will be moved to different places on your chest to take a variety of pictures of your heart.