Echo is a sophisticated ultrasound of the heart. We are required to access your chest for the test. If you have hair on your chest- we may need to shave some off to connect you to an ECG. We then connect the ECG to allow us to capture the pictures appropriately. An ultrasound probe (and gel on the skin) is then used to acquire ultrasound pictures of the heart.
How to Prepare
The cardiac sonographer may ask you questions about your cardiac condition.
Please bring your referral (if you were given one) to the test and give it to the cardiac sonographer.
We will need to access your chest to perform the heart ultrasound – please wear adequate clothing to allow us to do so.
Please do not apply any creams / moisturisers to the chest prior to the test.
How Long Does it Take?
Anticipate a total of approximately 45 minutes including preparation time.
Why Do We Do It?
At Total Cardiovascular Care, we have experienced cardiac sonographers, reporting cardiologists who are specialised in cardiac echo and top of the line equipment.
Echo is used to assess the heart muscle function, the valvular function and assesses the pressures in the heart. We are also able to take various measurements of the heart structures and aorta.
Potential Complications
None - besides an allergy to the ECG dots used as part of the test.