Ultrasound of the heart or echocardiography “ECHO” is a method of heart examining, its heart valves and its vessels using ultrasound. It allows you to assess the size and volume of the heart cavities, the thickness of the myocardial wall and its contractility, observe the movement of blood through the vessels and determine changes in the heart valves.
Statistics shows that cardiovascular diseases are the first causes of death of the population all over the world. In order to detect diseases of the heart and blood vessels in time, to avoid complications, it is necessary periodically to have a consultation with cardiologist. A complete cardiological examination usually includes heart ultrasound.
A doctor may prescribe this examination if you have for the following symptoms:
- Dyspnea
- Heaviness in the area of the heart, pain
- Interruptions in the work of the heart, heart palpitation(rapid heartbeat)
- Swelling of legs
- Bluishness of the skin
- Feeling of numbness and coldness in hands and legs
- Fatigue, loss of consciousness, dizziness
- Frequent headaches
Indications for ultrasound of the heart are:
- Increased blood pressure
- Transferred infections
- Noises in the heart
- The need to confirm/exclude defects in children
- Associated diseases (oncology, diabetes)
- Pregnancy
- Before surgery
In addition, an ultrasound of the heart is necessary for athletes (weightlifters, marathon runners, divers, people associated with extreme sports), people who engage in cardio-intensive hobbies (for example, dancing, martial arts, etc.), as well as a preventive examination every 5 years for men after the age of 40 and for women after the age of 45 (provided even if there are no health problems).
There are no contraindications to making an ultrasound of the heart. This examination is safe for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and is even used to diagnose the fetus in the womb. But this study can be complicated by emphysema of the lungs, obesity, deformation of the chest. Before the examination, it is not recommended to perform heavy physical exertion, take sedative or stimulating drugs, as well as take drinks containing caffeine.
What deviations can be detected
- Atherosclerotic changes in the aorta and heart valves
- The presence of intracardiac thrombi and heart tumors
- The presence of aneurysms of the aorta, walls of the heart
- Dissection of the aorta
- Hypertrophy and expansion of heart chambers
- Myocardial infarction, localization of the lesion
- The presence of fluid in the pericardial cavity and pleural cavities
- Damage to the valvular apparatus of the heart
- Heart failure
- Hidden heart defects
It is important to remember! The ultrasound scan can not determine a final diagnosis. To determine the diagnosis can be required additional examinations (complete examination of the patient, laboratory examinations, electrocardiogram, transesophageal echocardiography, stress echocardiography, MRI of the heart, etc.).
