Your Pillars To Better Health / echo
ECHO
ECHO, or Echocardiogram, is a medical imaging test that uses ultrasound to create images of the heart. It helps doctors assess the heart's structure and function in real time. ECHO is non-invasive and widely used to diagnose and monitor various heart conditions.
ECHO Evaluates:
- Heart Chambers: Checks the size and shape of the heart's chambers (atria and ventricles) and their ability to pump blood.
- Heart Valves: Evaluates the function of the heart's valves, detecting issues like regurgitation or stenosis.
- Blood Flow: Measures how blood moves through the heart and detects abnormalities.
- Heart Muscle Function: Assesses the strength of the heart muscle and detects damage, such as from a heart attack.
Types of Echocardiograms:
- Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE): The most common type, where the probe is placed on the chest.
- Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE): Involves inserting a probe into the esophagus to get a closer look at the heart, often used when more detailed images are needed.
- Stress Echocardiogram: Performed before and after exercise or medication to see how the heart works under stress.
- Doppler Echocardiogram: Measures the speed and direction of blood flow within the heart.
ECHO is a safe, painless procedure that provides essential information for managing heart health.