An echocardiogram is a study which uses reflected sound waves to reconstruct the heart and all of its valves. It is usually performed with a probe through the chest wall but under special circumstances, the information can also be obtained using a probe which is passed down the esophagus, positioning it very close to the heart. Using the reflected sound waves, the chambers of your heart can be analyzed in terms of size and function. With the addition of Doppler techniques, very precise information can also be obtained about the valves of the heart. Echocardiography is also frequently used in conjunction with stress testing to allow the analysis of heart function at rest and in response to stress, usually exercise.
Categories