Question 1

how does a heart ultrasound work?

Accepted Answer

Echocardiogram: Acoustic waves (in the mega-hz so they can't be heard) are sent from the probe and the time the reflected wave takes to return is measured. This is similar to sonar. For moving structures, like valves and blood, the machine takes advantage of the doppler    effect (notice the change in tone of the train whistle as it passes a station) to measure velocities.

Question 2

what does a heart ultrasound check?

Accepted Answer

A lot. It can show: Motion and function of valves, heart muscle thickness, chamber size, wall motion, ability of the atria and ventricles to empty, and can show valve incompetence.  It can show the pericardium and whether there is fluid, and how much, and if it impedes chamber filling or emptying (tamponade).

Question 3

what diagnoses can a heart ultrasound make?

Accepted Answer

Echo: Echo shows cardiac structure and function. It gives a lot of information about the heart. It is a basic test used in cardiologic evaluation and is indicated in many conditions including ischemia.

Question 4

getting a heart ultrasound. what can i expect?

Accepted Answer

Painless test: That takes about 45 minutes performed while laying down on left side.  You will be asked to hold your breath for brief period of time by technologist occasionally.

Question 5

what is a fetal heart ultrasound?

Accepted Answer

Fetal echocardiogram: A fetal echocardiogram is a specialized ultrasound of the fetal heart, usually only done when there is an increased risk of a heart defect in the fetus.  It is a detailed look at lots of different parts of a baby's heart anatomy and function.

Question 6

what all does a heart ultrasound and stress test detect?

Accepted Answer

Tests: A heart ultrasound, or a fetal echo, is used to examine whether the fetal heart is normal structurally or not. A stress test, or a non-stress test, is a test of fetal well being. A stress test gives mother contractions and monitors the fetal heart during the test. A non-stress test monitors the fetal heart rate with fetal activity.

Question 7

would a fetal heart ultrasound find all problems if there were any?

Accepted Answer

No: No ultrasound can diagnose all problems in a baby, and fetal heart ultrasounds can miss problems too.  A good fetal echocardiogram should be able to diagnose most major heart defects in a fetus, but there are factors that can make the exam difficult, like the gestational age of the fetus, the position of the fetus, or a mother who is obese.

Question 8

hello thank you for accepting me!
i had endocharditis 2 years ago.
now i'm due for a check up i'll be having a heart ultrasound in about a week...
will i die a lot younger now my heart is damaged

Accepted Answer

Endocarditis: wait to see what the Ultrasound shows but doubtful you have damage inspire of having endocarditis.  Stay healthy

Question 9

what is a heart ultrasound used for?

Accepted Answer

Or Echocardiogram: Is a noninvasive way to evaluate overall heart size and function as well as valve function.

Question 10

can heart ultrasound show heart damage?

Accepted Answer

A cardiac echo: Or u/s is a dynamic study of heart function: wall motion, chamber filling and emptying, and valve motions. It can show damaged wall. It does nothing to detect coronary vessels.  It also can find pericardial fluid.

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Bright spot in heart on ultrasound

A member asked:

How does a heart ultrasound work?

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What does a heart ultrasound check?

A member asked:

What diagnoses can a heart ultrasound make?

A member asked:

Getting a heart ultrasound. what can i expect?

A member asked:

What is a fetal heart ultrasound?

A member asked:

What all does a heart ultrasound and stress test detect?

A member asked:

Would a fetal heart ultrasound find all problems if there were any?

A member asked:

Hello thank you for accepting me! i had endocharditis 2 years ago. now i'm due for a check up i'll be having a heart ultrasound in about a week... will i die a lot younger now my heart is damaged

A member asked:

What is a heart ultrasound used for?

A member asked:

Can heart ultrasound show heart damage?

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