Echocardiograms, also known as a Doppler ultrasound of the heart or a surface echo, are medical tests that use sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart. Echocardiograms are more detailed than x-rays and do not involve radiation exposure. They are helpful in detecting abnormal heart sounds, an enlarged heart, and investigating unexplained chest pains, shortness of breath, or irregular heartbeats. Additionally, the test can measure the thickness and movement of the heart's walls, if an artificial valve is performing properly, locate blood clots and tumors, and check the cardiac blood flow.
No special preparation is necessary for patients undergoing a Doppler ultrasound. A trained sonographer performs the test then a cardiologist can interpret the results. A transducer, an instrument that transmits high-frequency sound waves, is placed near the patient's ribs. After emitting the waves, it also picks up the echoes and transmits them electronically to an echocardiography machine. This machine interprets the transmissions and creates a moving picture of the heart. Doctors can watch a person's beating heart and visualize many of the structures. Normal results from this test reveal efficient cardiac performance and structure. Abnormal outcomes can uncover heart disease or other complicated ailments such as primary pulmonary hypertension.
Different types of surface echo tests exist. The most common type is a transthoracic echocardiogram that simply involves movement of the transducer to get a view of different parts of the heart. Stress echocardiograms measure blood flow and heart movement after exercise or induced stress. Doppler echocardiograms specifically focus on the movement, speed, and volume of blood flow within the heart. Finally, the transesophageal version of the test reveals a clear picture of the heart by passing a tube down the patient's esophagus. The lungs and chest bones do not interfere with the picture, allowing the cardiologist to interpret the results more easily.
This type of heart examination can uncover primary pulmonary hypertension, a rare and serious disease affecting the blood pressure in the lungs. With elevated pulmonary blood pressure, additional stress is placed on the heart, often causing valve damage. Although primary pulmonary hypertension can be caused by genetics, it is often caused by diet drug use, such as Fen-phen. Once discovered through a test such as an echocardiogram, several treatment options exist, although there are no cures.
If you are interested in learning more, this primary pulmonary hypertension treatment options website can be a helpful source of information.
Joseph Devine
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