What an echocardiogram shows
A sonographer moves an ultrasound probe over the chest to take moving pictures of the heart. The scan measures the size of the heart chambers, the strength of the pumping action (ejection fraction), the thickness of the heart muscle, the function of the four valves and the pressures inside the heart. It is the first test for suspected heart failure, murmurs, breathlessness, palpitations and a family history of cardiomyopathy.
Types of echocardiogram
- Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE): the standard scan through the chest wall, taking 30 to 45 minutes.
- Stress echocardiogram: images taken before and immediately after exercise on a treadmill, to show whether part of the heart muscle is short of blood supply. A useful alternative to CT for some patients with chest pain.
- Transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE): a probe passed into the oesophagus under sedation for very detailed views of the valves, performed in hospital when needed.
How to prepare
No preparation is needed for a standard echocardiogram. You can eat, drink and take your usual medicines. Wear a top that is easy to remove; you will be given a gown. For a stress echocardiogram, wear comfortable shoes, avoid a heavy meal in the two hours beforehand and ask whether any heart medicines should be withheld on the day.
Results
A/Prof Verjans, a board-certified echocardiography cardiologist, reviews the images and measurements and discusses them with you at your appointment, often on the same day. The report is sent to your GP and is available in the Patient Hub.
Cost
Echocardiograms requested by the clinic are bulk billed: with a valid Medicare card and referral there is no out-of-pocket cost. Stress echocardiograms and other tests are quoted when booked.