Getting an echo-cardiogram ?!
Question: Getting an echo-cardiogram !?
My doctor wants me to get an echo-cardiogram because she thinks that I might have a leaky heart valve!. What happens during the procedure and what about leaky heart valves!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Echo-cardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart!. The picture is much more detailed than x-ray image and involves no radiation exposure!.
You will be asked to disrobe from the waist up and will lie on an examination table on your back!. Electrodes will be placed onto your chest to allow for an ECG to be done!. A gel will be spread on your chest and then the transducer (probe) will be applied!. You will feel a slight pressure on your chest from the transducer!. You may be asked to breathe in a certain way or to roll over onto your left side!.
If you have had an ultrasound done in the past, maybe for a pregnancy or gall bladder testing, it will look like the same probe and the same gel is applied!.
Leaky heart valves can be caused by a number of reasons, everything from being genetic to caused be injury!. Depending on what the echo shows will help make a decision on how to treat it!. Some need no treatment, others go to the other extreme in that they require complete replacement!. They can also require treatment in the form of medication, abstaning from alcohol, loosing weight, or many other forms of treatment!.
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You will be asked to disrobe from the waist up and will lie on an examination table on your back!. Electrodes will be placed onto your chest to allow for an ECG to be done!. A gel will be spread on your chest and then the transducer (probe) will be applied!. You will feel a slight pressure on your chest from the transducer!. You may be asked to breathe in a certain way or to roll over onto your left side!.
If you have had an ultrasound done in the past, maybe for a pregnancy or gall bladder testing, it will look like the same probe and the same gel is applied!.
Leaky heart valves can be caused by a number of reasons, everything from being genetic to caused be injury!. Depending on what the echo shows will help make a decision on how to treat it!. Some need no treatment, others go to the other extreme in that they require complete replacement!. They can also require treatment in the form of medication, abstaning from alcohol, loosing weight, or many other forms of treatment!.
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It depends on what kind, but I've had both kinds so I'll go over both:
TTE (Trans-Thorasic Echo-cardiogram): This is an ultrasound of your heart!. It feels about the same as what an ultrasound would feel like when looking at a baby, but it is on you chest instead of tummy!. It takes about 20-30 min!. if I am remembering correctly!. The only discomfort would be if you are sensitive in your rib area, but even that is not bad at all!.
TEE (Trans-esophageal-echo-cardiogram) : This is more uncomfortable procedure where they will do an ultrasound of your heart from the inside!. You will most likely be sedated, asked to help swallow a tube with the ultrasound in it, and then be sedated more so you sleep through most of the procedure!. I am not sure what it feels like during because slept through it!. My throat hurt a little bit afterward, but it wasn't bad!. If you have a good doctor you may have an even easier experience than I had!.
Good luck!Www@Answer-Health@Com
TTE (Trans-Thorasic Echo-cardiogram): This is an ultrasound of your heart!. It feels about the same as what an ultrasound would feel like when looking at a baby, but it is on you chest instead of tummy!. It takes about 20-30 min!. if I am remembering correctly!. The only discomfort would be if you are sensitive in your rib area, but even that is not bad at all!.
TEE (Trans-esophageal-echo-cardiogram) : This is more uncomfortable procedure where they will do an ultrasound of your heart from the inside!. You will most likely be sedated, asked to help swallow a tube with the ultrasound in it, and then be sedated more so you sleep through most of the procedure!. I am not sure what it feels like during because slept through it!. My throat hurt a little bit afterward, but it wasn't bad!. If you have a good doctor you may have an even easier experience than I had!.
Good luck!Www@Answer-Health@Com
An echo-cardiogram is basically an ultrasound of your heart!. They will put that goopy gel on your chest and rub the wand around to look at your heart!. A leaking heart valve!? Well it all depends on which heart valve, this could be something that is insignificant or something quite serious!. You definately need to get this test done so your doctor can determine what to do next!.!.!.Good luck!!Www@Answer-Health@Com
An excellent page about the procedure can be found here: http://www!.smart-heart-living!.com/echoca!.!.!.
The procedure is painless!. If you have leaky valves or are suspected of this, the echocardiogram should detect it!.
Good luck!Www@Answer-Health@Com
The procedure is painless!. If you have leaky valves or are suspected of this, the echocardiogram should detect it!.
Good luck!Www@Answer-Health@Com
They lube your chest and put an instrument up to it!. They put the images onto a video and your doctor watches the highlights!. It takes about 15 minutes and is completely painless!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Its an external test, very similar to (or just a variation on) a sonogram!.
Sometimes they heal on their own, sometimes they recommend surgery, sometimes it is minor and you can live with the problem!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Sometimes they heal on their own, sometimes they recommend surgery, sometimes it is minor and you can live with the problem!.Www@Answer-Health@Com