Echocardiogram Diagnosis

An echocardiogram is an ultrasound test that is used to measure heart function. It is often used to diagnose heart disease, heart valve disease and other heart problems.

History

• Ultrasounds similar to echocardiograms were first used during World War II to find submarines. Fishermen have also used sound waves to track fish, according to heartsite.com.

How It Works

• During an electrocardiogram, a sonographer places a device called a transducer, which emits sound waves, over a patient's chest. An electrocardiography machine converts the sound waves into images of the heart, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Preparation

• Most types of echocardiograms are outpatient procedures that require no advanced preparation. Before a type of echocardiogram called a stress echo, you should not eat any food or drink other than water for four hours before the test or take heart medications in the preceding 24 hours, according to medicinenet.com.

Uses

• An echocardiogram is used to study the appearance and function of heart valves to determine if they are infected, have become narrowed, are abnormally structured and/or have irregular blood flow across them, according to heartsite.com. An echocardiogram can also be used to examine how well the heart is pumping blood. The test can detect tumors and blood clots in the heart, as well as heart muscle damage, according to the Patient Education Institute.

Meaning

• Abnormal results on an echocardiogram can sometimes signal that an individual has minor health problems, according to drugs.com. If an individual is found to have heart disease or another health problem he may need to undergo further tests, such as an electrocardiogram or coronary angiography, or begin treatment.