Heart echo

Heart echo (echocardiography)

It is a painless and patient-friendly examination of the heart. No special prior preparation is required. The patient can eat, drink and take medication normally. It is performed by ultrasound. Ultrasound is nowadays the basic and probably the most widely used diagnostic imaging method. Its advantages are that it does not burden the body with penetrating radiation, it is not necessary to administer a contrast agent before the examination as with some X-ray methods, and it can, if necessary, be examined directly at the patient's bedside. Echocardiography allows the doctor to determine in a relatively short time how your heart is working and whether the heart valves are in good condition. It is also possible to observe your heart in motion.

The aim of the check-up is to determine not only the location, shape and size of the heart, but also to assess its structure, blood supply and, to some extent, cardiac function.

When is this examination performed?

When suspected of a disease in the areas of the heart muscle, heart intramuscular, valves and pericardium. Examination may reveal, for example, fluid in the pericardium, congenital developmental defects, infectious valve disease and heart tumours.

A valuable assistant to the doctor is the so-called. Doppler scanto map the blood flow through the heart cavities (atria and ventricles) to illustrate the narrowing or loosening of the valves and to calculate the blood pressures at different heart points.

This examination can be performed in the cardiology examination room or in the inpatient ward at the patient's bedside.

The patient is positioned on the back with the chest exposed. The doctor will apply a conductive gel to the end of the probe. He then passes the probe over the chest at different angles. The images of the heart are recorded and displayed on a screen. During the examination, the doctor will ask you to turn on your side. In total, this examination usually takes about 15 minutes.

After the examination no special regimen is necessary. You can eat, drink, take your medication and carry out your normal daily activities.

Your doctor will tell you the result immediately after the examination.