Why Echo Heart Test is Prescribed by Doctors
- Aisha Kapoor
- Apr 13, 2020
- 2 min read
An echocardiogram test is done to capture ultrasound pictures of the heart. The test can help doctors to detect a diverse range of heart issues in an individual. It is a test where an ultrasound process is used to take images of the heart. The process displays a cross-area of blood vessels, chambers and valves. It creates high-frequency sound waves, producing echoes when they spring up and down on various parts of the body. These echoes are picked by the probe and get converted into a two-and three-dimensional picture on a monitor. The echo heart test can also be done to examine the blood flow in the arteries.

Why the test is done?
The doctors prescribe this test for detecting the following conditions:
Detect any blood clots or tumours
Check how effectively the heart is pumping the blood
Spot congenital heart irregularity in young kids and infants
Detect heart diseases such as blocked or leaky heart valves, stiffening or weak pumping of the heart muscle and chamber enlargement in adults
Observe how well the heart reacts to various heart treatments including artificial valves, heart failure medications and pacemakers
Evaluate the stress in the heart to detect a heart condition named pulmonary hypertension
A doctor will prescribe an echocardiogram or 2d echo test in case they suspect that a person has some kind of heart issues. The major signs that may point out a heart problem include:
Shortness of breath
An irregular heartbeat
Leg swelling
Low or high blood pressure
Abnormal sounds between heartbeats, recognized as heart mutter
Unusual EKG outcomes
Is there any side effect or risks?
A regular echocardiogram is an easy, secure and painless process and there are no risks and side effects from the scanning procedure. However, the gel applied on the chest may feel cold and patients may feel a little uneasiness when the electrodes are detached from the skin at the end of the process.
Stress, busy work schedules, and poor eating habits may cause numerous terrible effects on the heart and overall body. So, a routine heart check-up is important for all people.
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