The echocardiogram is an examination used to evaluate, in real time, some characteristics of the heart, such as the size, shape of the valves, muscle thickness and the ability of the heart to function, in addition to blood flow. This examination also allows to see the state the great vessels of the heart, pulmonary artery and aorta, at the moment the examination is being performed.
This test is also called echocardiography or ultrasound of the heart, and has several types, such as one-dimensional, two-dimensional and Doppler, which are requested by the doctor according to what he wants to evaluate.
Price
The price of the echocardiogram is approximately 80 reais, depending on where the test will be performed.
What is it for
The echocardiogram is an exam used to evaluate the heart function of people with or without heart symptoms, or who have chronic cardiovascular disease such as hypertension or diabetes. Some examples of indications are:
- Analysis of cardiac function;
- Analysis of the size and thickness of the cardiac walls;
- Structure of the valves, malformations in the valves and visualization of blood output;
- Calculation of cardiac output, which is the amount of blood pumped per minute;
- Fetal echocardiography may indicate congenital heart disease;
- Changes in the membrane lining the heart;
- Evaluate symptoms such as shortness of breath, excessive tiredness;
- Diseases such as heart murmur, thrombi in the heart, aneurysm, pulmonary thromboembolism, esophageal diseases;
- Investigate masses and tumors in the heart;
- In amateur or professional athletes.
There is no contraindication to performing this examination, which can be done even in infants and children.
Types of echocardiogram
There are the following types of this exam:
- Transthoracic echocardiogram: the most commonly performed examination;
- Fetal echocardiogram: performed during pregnancy to assess the baby's heart and identify diseases;
- Doppler echocardiogram: especially indicated for assessing blood flow through the heart, especially useful in valvulopathies;
- Transesophageal echocardiogram: it is indicated to also evaluate the region of the esophagus in search of diseases.
This examination can also be done in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional way, which means that the generated images evaluate 2 different angles at the same time, and in three-dimensional form, which evaluates 3 dimensions at the same time, being more modern and credible.
How the echocardiogram is done
The echocardiogram usually is done in the cardiologist's office or in an imaging clinic, and lasts for 15 to 20 minutes. All you have to do is lie down on the belly up or on the left side, and remove the shirt and the doctor apply a little gel on the heart and slide the ultrasound equipment that generates images to a computer, from several different angles.
During the examination the doctor may ask the person to change position or to perform specific breathing movements.
Preparation for the exam
No preparation is required for simple, fetal or transthoracic echocardiography. However, transesophageal echocardiography is recommended not to eat within 3 hours of the examination. You do not have to stop taking any medicine before taking this test.
