Data from the American Heart Association shows that about 928 741 Americans lost their lives due to heart-related diseases in 2020. The figure continues to rise even in 2023. Heart disease can lead to heart attack, stroke, and other problems. Heart problems can be controlled through regular checkups. That is where an echocardiogram Upper East Side comes into play.
An echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to produce images of the heart. It can show if your heart is enlarged or has any defects. It can also show how well your heart works and how much blood it pumps out. This can help your doctor determine if you have heart disease or another problem.
Below is how echocardiogram work and heart defects identified through an echocardiogram;
How does an echocardiogram work?
The echocardiogram test uses sound waves to look at your heart. A special transducer device touches your skin and moves over your chest to send sound waves. The echoes are picked up by the transducer and sent to a computer. The computer translates this information into images that are displayed on a monitor.
Conditions identified through an echocardiogram
Heart defects
You may be referred to a pediatric cardiologist if your doctor suspects a problem with the structure or function of your heart. In some cases, the condition can be treated with medication or surgery.
Infections
If you have an infection in your heart, such as endocarditis (infection of the heart valves), an echocardiogram can help identify the location of the infection and determine whether it requires treatment.
Heart valve disease
Heart valve disease occurs when there is damage to one or more of your heart valves. If left untreated, heart valve disease may lead to serious complications, including heart failure, stroke, or sudden death. Heart valve disease may occur at any age but is most commonly seen after age 50 due to the aging of our cardiovascular system over time.
Congestive heart failure
This condition occurs when the heart muscle weakens and can’t pump blood efficiently, causing fluid back up into the lungs, ankles, and legs. An echocardiogram can help your doctor determine if you have congestive heart failure by showing whether fluid collects around your lungs or in other parts of your body.
Pump strength
Echocardiogram is the most common non-invasive test used to evaluate the heart. It uses sound waves to create images of the heart. The test can show how well the heart is pumping blood and any problems in the heart’s valves, chambers, and walls.
If you have heart disease, you might sometimes feel breathless and tired easily doing everyday activities. You may also have chest pains or headaches. Heart disease can sometimes cause other complications, such as congestive heart failure or abnormal blood clots that travel to the brain (stroke). It is essential to get regular checkups such as an echocardiogram so that you can catch any problems early on. For help with your heart health, contact Upper East Side Cardiology.
