Echocardiogram:
The Echocardiogram may be recommended for a person of any age complaining of the following symptoms:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of Breath
- Heart Murmur
- Palpitations
- Abnormal EKG
- Syncope (faintness)
It is a non-invasive, 2-D imaging test that illustrates the movement of blood throughout the chambers of the heart, heart valves, and blood vessels. It is a painless test similar to X-ray, but without the radiation. The procedure uses the same technology used to evaluate a baby’s health before birth. A hand-held device called a transducer is placed on the chest and transmits high frequency sound waves (ultrasound). These sound waves bounce off the heart structures, producing images and sounds that can be used by the doctor to detect heart damage and disease.
Your doctor will review the results of the echocardiogram to determine what treatment may be needed. The results of the test will help your doctor:
- Assess the overall function of your heart
- Examine the cause of abnormal heart sounds (murmurs or clicks), an enlarged heart, unexplained chest pains, shortness of breath, or irregular heartbeats.
- Determine the presence of different types of heart diseases.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of medicinal or surgical treatments.
- Establish a baseline of your heart chamber’s ability to pump blood throughout your body.
Most insurance companies allow one annual echocardiogram.
Echocardiograms are available in our North Babylon and Middle Island offices.
Heart And Health, PLLC
1350 Deer Park Avenue, North Babylon, New York 11703
281 Middle Country Rd., Middle Island, New York 11953
