Echocardiogram

What is an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram is a diagnostic imaging test that uses ultrasound to create pictures of your heart. The team at Alexander Kasatkin, MD, PC offers 3D echocardiograms that create detailed imaging of your heart in real time. For example, an echocardiogram shows your physician:

• The size and shape of your heart
• The thickness and movement of your heart’s walls
• How your heart moves
• The pumping strength of your heart
• Whether your heart valves work correctly
• Whether blood moves backward through your heart valves
• Whether your valves are too narrow
• Tumors
• Problems with the pericardium (outer lining of the heart)
• Problems with the blood vessels that enter and leave the heart
• Abnormal holes

Echocardiograms are noninvasive, painless, and completely safe.

Why would I need an echocardiogram?

Echocardiograms allow your physician to diagnose many cardiac problems and evaluate the structure, function, and motion of your heart. Identifying defects, tears, and clots allows your doctor to provide rapid treatment to protect your health.

Your physician might order an echocardiogram if you have symptoms of a heart-related health problem such as:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness or fainting
• Swelling in your legs
• Fatigue and weakness

You might also need an echocardiogram if your doctor hears something abnormal like a potential heart murmur or irregular heartbeat during a routine exam.

How should I prepare for an echocardiogram?

You don’t need to do anything special to prepare for your echocardiogram: no fasting or holding off on taking any medications. You might be more comfortable in loose clothing, but what you wear is up to you.

What happens during an echocardiogram?

The team at Alexander Kasatkin, MD, PC offers 3D echocardiograms from the convenience of their office in Fair Lawn. In most cases, the test takes around 40 minutes.

You recline on a treatment table, and one of the technicians applies a gel that helps transmit the sound waves through your skin to your chest. Then, they glide a handheld transducer over your chest. The transducer emits sound waves and collects the echoes as they bounce off your heart and other internal structures.

The echoes travel to the echocardiogram machine, which converts them into precisely detailed 3D images. Your cardiologist examines those images to gather information about your heart and confirm their diagnosis.

If you need an echocardiogram or have symptoms of a cardiac health problem, call Alexander Kasatkin, MD, PC or make an appointment online today.